King County Approved for a Modified Phase 1 Reopening

King County Approved for a Modified Phase 1 Reopening

King County has entered a modified phase 1 reopening, after Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved 14 counties to move into the next phase of the governor’s Safe Start Plan. The modified phase 1 status allows for expanded business activity, restaurant service, recreation and services.

The approval comes after King County submitted a plan for reopening modifications to the State Department of Health earlier this week. While the county hasn’t yet met the criteria for Phase 2, the area’s progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 allows for a safe expansion of activities, including:

• Opening all outdoor recreation as permitted in Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan
• Opening indoor fitness studios for one-on-one activities
• Allowing restaurants to begin indoor seating at 25% of normal capacity
• Allowing hair stylists and other personal services to operate at 25% capacity

Businesses operating under the modified reopening must comply with health and safety requirements. King County and Washington State officials emphasized that social distancing and other personal safety measures must continue to be followed, even as restrictions are modified and lifted.

King County’s modified Phase 1 plan was developed with public health experts, community leaders and businesses alongside the King County Council, and was approved by the State Secretary of Health today. For more information on Washington’s reopening, read the Governor’s full Safe Start Plan.