Gov. Inslee allows more counties to apply for Phase 2 reopening

In a Tuesday press conference, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that he will be loosening the requirements for counties looking to enter into Phase 2 of reopening.

As of Tuesday, 10 counties have been approved for a Phase 2 variance, based on their population and the lower prevalence of new COVID-19 cases. Inslee’s new criteria makes it so an additional 10 counties are now eligible as well.

Under the new regulations, counties can now apply for a variance if they have fewer than 10 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week span. Those standards are consistent with the CDC’s own guidelines.

The 10 counties that have already received approval to enter into Phase 2 early include: Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Whitman, Lincoln, Columbia, Garfield, Skamania, Wahkiakum, and Asotin counties.

MAY 19, 2020 AT 11:37 AM

Gov. Jay Inslee. (TVW)
In a Tuesday press conference, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that he will be loosening the requirements for counties looking to enter into Phase 2 of reopening.

Why Jefferson County is not applying for Phase 2 right away

As of Tuesday, 10 counties have been approved for a Phase 2 variance, based on their population and the lower prevalence of new COVID-19 cases. Inslee’s new criteria makes it so an additional 10 counties are now eligible as well.

Under the new regulations, counties can now apply for a variance if they have fewer than 10 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over a two-week span. Those standards are consistent with the CDC’s own guidelines.

The 10 counties that have already received approval to enter into Phase 2 early include: Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Whitman, Lincoln, Columbia, Garfield, Skamania, Wahkiakum, and Asotin counties.

Counties now eligible to apply under the expanded criteria include: Spokane, Adams, Mason, Thurston, Lewis, Clark, Clallam, Kitsap, Island, and San Juan counties.

https://mynorthwest.com/1882770/gov-inslee-phase-2-criteria-expanded/