Coronavirus: Swimming lessons, church in tents, winery patios allowed again in Tri-Cities

More business and recreational activities will be allowed in Benton and Franklin counties starting Saturday.

The activities allowed in the Tri-Cities area under modified Phase 1 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start reopening plan are being expanded, the Benton Franklin Health District announced Wednesday afternoon.

Restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus are being eased for wineries, bars, swimming pools, nonessential retail stores, drive-in movies and more.

The change was made after John Wiesman, the Washington state secretary of health, and state health officer Kathy Lofy reviewed progress in the two counties to reduce the number of new cases and preparedness to handle any spike in cases.

Demonstrating with weekly surveys that nearly all residents are wearing face coverings in grocery stores and also improving new case counts factored heavily in the decision to allow more activities, according to the local health district.

The daily number of new cases appears to have generally plateaued recently in the Tri-Cities area, said local public health officials.

Here’s what is now allowed:

▪ Wineries, breweries, distilleries and taverns can join restaurants in serving customers at outdoor seating for up to 50% of the capacity of the establishment.

Indoor seating continues to be prohibited, but other changes match Phase 2 requirements for drinking establishments.

Tables may not seat more than five people and bar-area seating is not allowed.

No alcohol may be served after 10 p.m.

Only drinking establishments that serve full meals made in their own kitchens have been allowed to open patios and decks until rules change this Saturday. Restaurants have been allowed to serve meals outside for nearly four weeks in the Tri-Cities.

In both restaurants and also in drinking establishments as they open, customers are required to wear masks except when they are seated at tables and should only be leaving tables for activities such as using a restroom, according to public health officials.

Only household members are allowed to share a table.

▪ Staffed swimming pools can open both for lap swimming by appointment and also swimming lessons for groups of five or fewer.

The change covers athletic club pools and municipal pools.

However, Tri-Cities area city pools announced last week that it is too late in the summer to staff up and then open pools.

The city of Kennewick said on Thursday that six-foot social distancing rules still apply and that it would be difficult to have classes with beginning swimmers with an instructor in the water with them.

The eased rules still do not allow wading pools and splash pads to open.

They also do not apply to pools such as those in apartment pools and others that are not regularly staffed.

▪ Drive-in movies are allowed, but only members of the same household may share a car.

Concession stands and communal restrooms will be prohibited.

Richland, Kennewick and Pasco have been making plans for Tri-Cities Carpool Cinema with movies showing on a giant LED screen.

▪ Stores considered nonessential can allow more customers inside at a time. They can increase customers at one time from 15% to 25% of building capacity.

Customers remain limited to spending no more than 30 minutes inside a story.

▪ Outdoor church services are allowed with tents or canopies to provide shade, according to a clarification of rules by the Washington state Department of Health.

Tents must have at least two open sides to allow air to circulate.

Currently religious institutions may hold outdoor church services for up to 100 people if there is social distance between families.

Other activities allowed

The eased restrictions are in addition to what is already being allowed, including opening barbershops, hair and nail salons, and dog grooming businesses at 25% capacity.

“We are proud of how our community has stepped up as reflected in our mask surveys at grocery stores,” said Dr. Amy Person, health officer for the local health district.

In the latest survey, 98% of 6,360 people leaving grocery stores in the two counties had facial coverings.

“We encourage everyone to continue to avoid gatherings, stay home when they’re sick and wash their hands frequently,” Dr. Person said.

Among the restrictions that were not eased was the limit on gatherings. Gatherings remain limited to people of the same household, with few exceptions.

Benton and Franklin counties along with Yakima County were the last three in the state allowed to move to a modified Phase 1 of reopening.

Restrictions were first eased on July 3, including allowing new construction projects to begin, limited shopping in stores considered nonessential and limited personal services, such as hair cutting and dog grooming.

Yakima County also will be allowed much the same expanded business and recreation activities as Benton and Franklin counties starting Saturday.

It has had 95% compliance with wearing masks in surveys done there at stores in the last three weeks.

This story was originally published July 29, 2020 at 5:05 PM.