King County submits ‘Phase 1.5’ plan to reopen more businesses, expanded to include some indoor restaurant seating

On Wednesday June 3rd King County officials announced they’d submitted a plan to the state Department of Health that would allow limited and modified openings for a wide range of businesses and personal activities.

The statewide stay home ordered expired on May 31st, with Governor Inslee moving the Safe Start plan to a county-by-county approach. Although moving between the 4-phase plan still requires approval by the state’s secretary of health.

King County’s application includes recommendations from local health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin that would:

• allow all outdoor recreation permitted in Phase 2 in Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start plan
• expand opening indoor fitness studios for one-on-one activities
• allow restaurants to begin opening indoor seating at 25% of normal capacity
• allow hair stylists and other personal services at 25% capacity

This newest reopening plan expands King County’s plan announced last Friday, which only proposed opening outdoor seating for restaurants and did not include indoor fitness studio activities.

“Our plan to safely reopen our region’s economy is based on the latest data, recommendations by Public Health experts, and insight from communities and businesses,” said Executive Constantine. “We are ready to take the next careful step toward an equitable recovery that benefits everyone who calls King County home.”

The state is expected to decide within the next several days whether it will accept the modified plan, which according to the county, was developed in consultation with Public Health experts, community leaders, businesses, and the King County Council.

Public Health – Seattle & King County recently posted a new key indicators dashboard  with targets that help inform reopening decisions. Based on trends toward all the targets, public health officials and policymakers believe these openings, done safely, will enable much-needed economic activity while also protecting the public and managing the spread of COVID-19 in communities.

King County Newest ‘Phase 1.5’ Plan includes:

Outdoor Recreation

• All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance. (Part 1, Part 2)

Fitness

• All outdoor activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance, which limits the occupants to no more than five people outside of a household (excluding the instructor).
• Indoor fitness studios may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance but is limited to one on one activities only.

Social Gatherings

• Only allowed outdoors with five or fewer people outside the household.

Additional construction

• All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance.

Manufacturing operations

• All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance.

Real estate (residential and commercial)

• All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance with the exception that at no time may an office’s occupancy be higher than 25% and indoor services are limited to 30 minutes.

In-home/domestic services

• As outlined in Phase 2 guidance which has not yet been released by the State.

In-store retail

• All non-essential retail activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance with the exception that at no time may an establishment’s occupancy be higher than 15% and indoor services are limited to 30 minutes.
• Businesses are directed to provide signage encouraging indoor visits to less than 30 minutes. At no time may face to face interactions last longer than 30 minutes.

Personal services

(Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, Barbers, Estheticians, Master Estheticians, Manicurists, Nail Salon Workers, Electrologists, Permanent Makeup Artists, Tattoo Artists, Cosmetology Schools and Esthetics Schools)

• All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance with the exception that at no time may the number of clients served be more than 25% the number capable of being served at any one time, or 1 person if it is a single bed/chair studio.

Professional services

(Accountants, architects, attorneys, engineers, financial advisors, information technologists, insurance agents, tax preparers, and other office-based occupations that are typically serving a client base)

• All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance with the exception that at no time may an establishment’s occupancy be higher than 25% and indoor services are limited to 30 minutes.
• Businesses are directed to provide signage encouraging indoor visits to less than 30 minutes. At no time may face to face interactions last longer than 30 minutes.

Photography

• All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance.

Pet grooming

• All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance with the exception that at no time may an establishment’s occupancy be higher than 25%.

Restaurants

• All outdoor dining activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance at 50% outdoor capacity with all tables and chairs maintaining 6 feet of distance. Additional or new outdoor seating would be allowed subject to maintaining 6 feet of distance between tables and chairs, as well as receiving a city permit as is typically needed.
• All indoor dining services may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance with the exception that at no time may the number of customers served be more than 25% of the tables provided such tables and chairs are more than 6 feet away from each other.
• Public Health – Seattle & King County will release guidance by Friday, June 5th to advise how additional outdoor seating may offered in the lowest risk manner. Restaurants will need to go through the normal process within their city to seek approval to expand outdoor seating.

The county said, “With the limited re-opening, maintaining the safety principles that led to the success against the outbreak has never been more important. These include continuing to practice physical distancing of 6 feet or more, minimizing contact with others outside the home, frequent hand washing or sanitizer, use of cloth face coverings in public, and avoiding group gatherings and poorly ventilated spaces.”