King County’s Application for Partial Reopening Approved

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King County’s Application for Partial Reopening Approved

Washington State Department of Health approves application for a modified Phase 1 variance to partly open business and other activities

Today I was informed that King County's application to move into a modified Phase 1, known as "Phase 1.5", was approved by the State. I was proud to sign the application in my role as Council Chair, along with King County Executive Dow Constantine and Board of Public Health Chair Joe McDermott.

Here is a quick summary of what is allowed under Phase 1.5:

Restaurants

  • Outdoor dining activities are allowed at 50% of capacity with all tables and chairs maintaining 6 feet of distance, though additional seating will be allowed provided it follows public health guidelines. Restaurants will also need to go through the normal process within their city - or King County if the establishment is located within unincorporated King County - to seek approval to expand outdoor seating.
  • Indoor dining services may operate at 25% of capacity, provided tables and chairs are more than 6 feet away from each other.

In-store Retail

  • All non-essential retail activities may operate but an establishment's occupancy may not be not be higher than 15% of capacity.
  • Businesses are directed to provide signage encouraging indoor visits to less than 30 minutes, with face-to-face interactions limited to 30 minutes.
  • Essential retail activities may continue to operate according to the existing state regulations.

Personal services: Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, Barbers, Estheticians, Master Estheticians, Manicurists, Nail Salon Workers, Electrologists, Permanent Makeup Artists, Tattoo Artists, Cosmetology Schools and Esthetics Schools

  • All activities may operate but the number of clients served will be limited to no more than 25% of capacity or one person if it is a single bed/chair studio.

Professional services: Accountants, architects, attorneys, engineers, financial advisors, information technologists, insurance agents, tax preparers, and other office-based occupations that are typically serving a client base

  • All activities allowed but an establishment's occupancy should not be higher than 25% of capacity.
  • Businesses are directed to provide signage encouraging indoor visits to be less than 30 minutes, with face to face interactions limited to 30 minutes.

Construction

  • All construction, including those activities for which social distancing may not be maintained and the start of new construction projects, is authorized to resume.

You can read more about what is allowed and what our responsibilities are under Phase 1.5 here.

Moving into Phase 1.5 is an important step in reopening our economy.  However, the COVID-19 virus remains active in our community and we must follow all Public Health guidance – maintaining six feet social distance, washing our hands, wearing a mask when we are around others not in our household – so that we can continue to slow the spread of the disease and meet the requirements to move into Phase 2. Thank you for your continued commitment as we take steps towards reopening.

Sincerely,

Claudia Balducci

Claudia Balducci
King County Council
Council Chair
District 6