2 Regions Move to Phase 2 Monday, But NOT Us–Both West Side

Gov. Inslee said Thursday two regions will move, starting February 1st, to Phase 2 in the Healthy Washington Re-Open Plan.

He said the West Region, which is Grays Harbor, Thurston, Lewis and Pacific Counties; and the Puget Sound Region, which is Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties, will move to Phase 2. Phase 2 will allow limited indoor dining, will allow some outdoor sports including spring football, and some other features.

Some of the Phase 2 changes include:

"In Phase 2, indoor dining will be permitted with a maximum 25% capacity and an 11:00 PM close. All other indoor activities must also follow a 25% capacity limit. This includes retail, entertainment and groceries, as well as personal and professional services.

Indoor fitness must also follow the 25% capacity limit.

In Phase 2 moderate risk indoor sports and all sports outdoors gain flexibility to have league games and competitions, which will help ensure opportunities for kids to be active, which is especially important during winter months and as kids navigate virtual or hybrid schooling."

    Inslee also cautioned against having large Super Bowl parties, saying he doesn't want the virus to win the Super Bowl.

 He also said regions will only need to meet 3 of the four new criteria to be considered eligible to move up to Phase 2. Again, no applications, decisions made by the state.

  One other change of note:  Instead of evaluating the 8 regions each week, and announcing if a region can move up to Phase 2 every Friday, it will now be a TWO WEEK evaluation period. So we will have to wait until February 12, if our math is correct, to see if our South Central Region gets to advance (Benton, Franklin, Yakima, Klickitat and Columbia Counties).

  This decision will certainly not go over well in Ellensburg or Dayton.