Washington
Related: About this forumRestaurants in a Few Rural Eastern Washington Areas May Reopen Dining Rooms Soon
On Friday afternoon, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an update to Washingtons four-phase plan to reopen the economy during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Though he emphasized that the state was still in a precarious situation with regard to the spread of COVID-19, five counties that applied for a special variance to his general plan were approved to move to phase two, which allows restaurants to reopen at 50 percent capacity, seating tables of no more than five people at a time. This follows Inslees announcement last week that the four phases could happen on different timelines for different parts of the state.
Counties that got the go-ahead are smaller ones in Eastern Washington that have had no new coronavirus cases in the past three weeks and have populations below 75,000: Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Ferry, and Pend Oreille. Inslee said their applications were approved for the special acceleration, but did not give further details on what date certain businesses in those area could reopen, since guidelines are still forthcoming. Three more counties have applications pending.
Seattle and all of King County will remain in phase one for the time being, with dining rooms closed, but some more retail shops are allowed to open for curbside pickup. Its unclear exactly when restaurants would open back up on a wider level, but on the current trajectory, phase two for most of the state would likely begin around June 1, right after the current stay-at-home order expires. As Inlsee said, it would still all depend on continued downward trends in COVID-19 cases and increased testing capacity, as well as positive signs in the states risk assessment dashboard. To date, there have been 16,388 coronavirus cases in Washington, and 905 deaths.
The fact that certain counties are reopening could become a blueprint for the larger areas, however, as the governor said in Fridays press conference. Up until now, there havent been many specific safety mandates on what restaurants would need to do to reopen dining rooms, besides the reduced capacity to maintain social distancing, even as chefs and restaurateurs anxiously await such guidelines. Inslee said early next week there could be more information coming regarding the plans next steps.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/restaurants-in-a-few-rural-eastern-washington-areas-may-reopen-dining-rooms-soon/ar-BB13OEfd?ocid=hplocalnews
Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)Let's play Dining with Darwin, the high stakes came where no matter what's on the menu, its a natural selection. You can choose from on of the many hand-crafted playing pieces like, the Big Guinea Pig, the Fat Lab Rat, or the Paranoid Petri Dish.
Place your piece on the COVID-19 Diner space and let's get started. Now, roll those Viral Dice and make your move.
I am just thinking that people who race out just so they can have dinner somewhere may be contestants.
Sewa
(1,250 posts)and head for eastern WA. Lol