Inslee extends pause on phases indefinitely, updates Safe Start guidance
Gov. Jay Inslee extended the pause on counties advancing phases under the state’s Safe Start plan indefinitely and he updated guidance about recent changes to the plan Tuesday.
The governor said last week that he expected to extend the pause on phases, given the rise in COVID-19 cases.
In a press release Tuesday the governor’s office said Inslee: “extended the pause indefinitely on counties moving ahead in the Safe Start Washington plan.”
The release also included a memo with additional guidance about the Safe Start plan.
“The memo outlines the updates to gatherings, live entertainment, restaurants and taverns, entertainment and recreational centers, card rooms, movie theaters, and weddings and funerals and builds upon guidance released last week,” the press release said.
Some of the recent changes outlined in the memo are that:
Gatherings in phase 3 counties are limited to 10 people, and the limit for gatherings in phase 2 and modified phase 1 counties is still five.
Changing rules for weddings and funerals take effect Aug. 10, though the memo said that: “applies only if the event was planned before the date of this memorandum. Any events planned after the date of this memorandum must comply,” as of Thursday.
Receptions aren’t allowed, and indoor ceremonies are limited to 20 percent occupancy or 30 people, whichever is smaller. Six feet of social distancing has to be maintained between people from difference households at indoor and outdoor ceremonies, and those outdoors are limited to 30 people.
“Consistent with existing guidance, indoor ceremonies are prohibited in Phase 1,” the memo said.
Indoor service is not allowed at taverns, breweries, wineries and distilleries, and alcohol service at restaurants has to end at 10 p.m.
“If a brewery or winery also has a restaurant license, it may continue restaurant operations pursuant to the safety requirements for dine-in restaurants and taverns,” the memo said.
People from different households who want to sit at the same table at a restaurant have to sit outside. Indoor tables are limited to people from the same household.
The size of tables in phase three is limited to five people, and the occupancy limit is 50 percent.
Game areas, such as darts, billiards and video games, are not allowed.
Indoor card rooms and indoor family entertainment services such as bowling alleys and arcades aren’t allowed.
Indoor movie theaters aren’t allowed until phase 3, and their capacity is limited to 25 percent.
Live entertainment is prohibited, the memo said, “except performances outdoors for members of the same household where social distancing of a minimum of 10 feet is always maintained from the entertainer and facial coverings are worn by all individuals.”
The governor’s office said there will be updates next week about fitness services.
This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 5:29 PM with the headline "Inslee extends pause on phases indefinitely, updates Safe Start guidance."
