Kitsap County publishes a ‘Playbook’ for reopening

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Kitsap County publishes a ‘Playbook’ for reopening

Document provides key guidelines for local businesses and individuals

May 26, 2020

 

(KITSAP COUNTY, Wash.) -- The Kitsap County Emergency Operations Center (KCEOC) has compiled a Pathway to Recovery Playbook to provide guidance for the way forward as the county nears a move to Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan.

The playbook organizes critical information from a variety of local, state and federal sources in one place to help Kitsap businesses prepare for reopening. It includes everything from overarching guidance for every individual and employer, to industry-specific recommendations for each phase of the Safe Start plan. The playbook will be updated periodically as the situation changes and new guidelines are issued.

The KCEOC, in partnership with the Kitsap Public Health District (KPHD), has been working since early in the pandemic to ensure the county would be well-positioned to progress through the phases as soon as safely possible. Among many other tasks, that work included compiling data, obtaining personal protective equipment and test kits, and publishing the Pathway to Recovery Playbook.

Officials also note that a future uptick in cases could cause state and local health authorities to reinstitute restrictions. “To keep us on track, businesses should follow the industry-specific guidelines for reopening,” notes Lis Klute, Director of Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management and member of KCEOC's Unified Command for the local response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those guidelines can be found in the Playbook.

Kitsap County residents have a role to play, too; the public has slowed the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to physical distancing and hygiene guidelines, and continuing to do so will be critical to further progress. “We must not relax our commitment to public health measures like frequently washing and sanitizing hands, maintaining six feet of separation from other people, and wearing cloth face coverings when appropriate,” adds Klute.

The Kitsap Public Health Board will consider the variance application during a virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 27. The health board is taking public comments on the application via email to pio@kitsappublichealth.org or online by clicking here.  Based on the outcome of the public health board meeting, the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners will hold a virtual public meeting later that day at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the issue.

Get more information about Phase 2 in the Pathway to Recovery Playbook or by reading Gov. Inslee's Safe Start plan

 

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