Whatcom County approved to move to coronavirus Safe Start Phase 2
Whatcom County was approved in its request to advance to Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan for business reopening during the new coronavirus pandemic, it was announced Friday, June 5.
Phase 2, which takes effect immediately, allows opening of many businesses that have been closed since March 24 and eases limits on social distancing that have been in effect to slow the spread of COVID-19.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu announced the state’s decision in a statement Friday morning.
“I know that many of you, like me, are all really pleased to be to moving ahead to the next phase,” Sidhu said.
“As we take this step, I want to thank the people who helped us get to this point — our health-care workers and first-responders, our emergency response managers and public health professionals, and the many other people working behind the scenes or staying home and staying healthy.
Sidhu also thanked the Whatcom County Health Department and Whatcom Unified Command and urged everyone to keep following experts’ guidelines in regard to face coverings, hand hygiene and social distancing.
“The Washington State Department of Health stands ready to provide any technical assistance you may need in your implementation,” state Secretary of Health John Wiesman said in a letter to Sidhu.
“We appreciate your work and commitment to your community,” Wiesman said.
In a statement Friday, the Whatcom County Health Department said the county must remain in Phase 2 for three weeks without severe setbacks before applying for Phase 3.
“It’s possible Whatcom County could see a return to Phase 1 restrictions if there is a significant increase in cases or other benchmarks are not maintained,” the statement said. “Every resident of Whatcom County has a role to play in making Phase 2 successful and allowing our community to move to Phase 3 as quickly as possible.”
Health Department officials submitted an application for Phase 2 status on Tuesday, June 2, believing that they had met all the state requirements or were close to meeting them.
Whatcom County has had 404 confirmed case of COVID-19, with 53 hospitalizations and 37 deaths as of Thursday, June 4, according to the state’s Health Department’s website.
As of Thursday, 12 of Washington’s 39 counties were in Phase 2.
Seven counties had applied for Phase 3 status through Thursday, June 4.
Phase 2 will allow these activities, according to the Health Department:
▪ Social gatherings — inside or outside — with no more than five people from outside your household per week.
▪ More manufacturing and construction, domestic services, retail stores, real estate. services, professional services, nail salons and barbers, with some restrictions.
▪ Restaurants can open at 50% capacity but without bar seating.
Practices that should continue in Phase 2, according to the Health Department:
▪ Hand-washing and sanitizing.
▪ Physical distancing, remaining 6 feet away from others.
▪ Wearing a mask in public spaces.
▪ Staying home and away from others with any symptoms of illness.
In response to the Phase 2 approval, both the Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom County Library System said they plan to begin curbside pickup for new material for their patrons starting June 15.
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 10:47 AM.
