Washington state plans to fully reopen by June 30. All counties go Phase 3 on Tuesday

All of Washington state will be in Phase 3 of reopening on Tuesday, with the state on track for a total reopening of its economy by June 30, Gov. Jay Inslee said at a news conference Thursday.

The plateau in the state’s fourth wave of new COVID-19 cases has turned into a decline, allowing all of the state to have restaurants, bars, fitness centers, movie theaters, bowling alleys and more open at 50% capacity as of Tuesday, he announced at a news conference.

In addition, the governor announced Thursday that face masks are no longer required in Washington state for fully vaccinated people in most, but not all settings, following new Centers for Disease Control guidance announced earlier in the day.

The state is effectively closing one chapter of pandemic precautions and opening a new one focused on vaccinations, which have proved to be highly effective, Inslee said.

“This next part of our fight to save lives in Washington will focus on increasing vaccination rates and continuing to monitor variants of concern as we move toward reopening our state,” he said.

Pierce, Cowlitz, Ferry and Whitman counties are currently in Phase 2 of reopening, with many businesses limited to 25 percent capacity. Some other counties already in Phase 3, the least restrictive phase of reopening, were at risk of dropping to Phase 2 next week.

The 50 percent capacity limit is expected to remain in place until June 30, but there are factors that could lead to either more restrictions on businesses before then or a full reopening sooner than June 30.

Reopening tied to vaccination rate

Washington could fully reopen earlier if at least 70 percent of Washington residents 16 and older have had at least an initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Inslee.

Current trends suggest that vaccination rates will not be reached until late June.

To date, 57 percent of state residents 16 and older have received an initial dose of vaccine and just under 44 percent are fully vaccinated, according to the Washington state Department of Health.

However, some counties are lagging, including Eastern Washington’s Franklin County with just 37% of people 16 and older at least partially vaccinated.

In King County, with the largest population, had almost 70% of people 16 and older with their first vaccine.

Local public health districts will continue to monitor new case and vaccination rates and could impose stricter reopening measures, including to address outbreaks, Inslee said.

There also is a possibility that allowed activities between now and June 30 could be rolled back by state officials if hospital intensive care unit capacity reaches 90 percent.

With the number of hospitalized patients dropping in the state, Inslee said he expects ICU use to also decline.

Mask requirements eased

Getting vaccinated will be “a ticket to freedom” from masks, Inslee said.

“This is a heck of a benefit,” he said. “Look at people who have been annoyed by this mask (requirement), it is a really good reason to be vaccinated.”

Although facial coverings are no longer required in most places in the state for people who are fully vaccinated, exceptions include hospitals, long-term care homes, medical offices, jails and prisons, homeless shelters and schools, Inslee said.

In addition, a federal order requiring masks on public transportation remains in effect.

Businesses may still require that staff and customers wear masks, and some may choose to do that if they think their customers prefer that others wear masks, he said. And anyone who wants the extra protection of a mask is free to wear one.

The state will not be requiring businesses to check if people are vaccinated, but stores, restaurants and large venues have the right to do that if they choose, he said.

People may show their vaccination card, a photo of the card on their phone or a copy of their vaccination record from the Washington state Department of Health’s online immunization records system at wa.myir.net.

Washington state does not plan to issue vaccine “passports,” Inslee said.

COVID vaccine incentives

The state is looking at incentives to encourage people to become fully vaccinated, knowing that not only could that allow the state to reopen sooner but that it could save thousands of lives, Inslee said.

About 46,000 doses of the vaccine are being given on many days in the state but enough vaccine is available to do more, he said.

Effective immediately spectator events, such as indoor and outdoor sports, will not have limits on the number of vaccinated people allowed to attend. Conferences, live performances, wedding receptions and funerals also can allow full attendance by vaccinated people.

Cruise ships with fewer than 250 passengers can sail if the crew and 95% of passengers are vaccinated.

The Department of Commerce is working with the Association of Washington Business to pay for gift cards to local businesses for people who are recently vaccinated.

Wineries and breweries are waiting for approval from the state Liquor and Cannabis Board on a promotion to “buy a glass or a pint” for vaccinated customers.

Starting Thursday, the state and Seattle Mariners are teaming up to give prizes away from T-Mobile, Alaska Airlines, Microsoft, Costco and Nordstrom to people who are vaccinated.

The state may also announce some larger prizes next week — a possible grand prize lottery is under discussion — for people who are fully vaccinated.

“Our goal is to save lives and if you make a small investment to save thousands of lives, that can be a really worthwhile incentive program,” Inslee said.

K-12 in-person school

Starting in the fall, schools must offer full-time, in-person learning, although remote learning options also could be available, Inslee said.

The Washington state Department of Health released guidance Thursday for the upcoming school year.

Depending on vaccination rates, distance requirements in schools could be lifted.

Federal grant money may be available to help more schools pay for testing of students without symptoms to help prevent outbreaks.

This story was originally published May 13, 2021 at 2:44 PM with the headline "Washington state plans to fully reopen by June 30. All counties go Phase 3 on Tuesday."