Safe Start WA - (Opens in New Window)
Further Information about Gov. Inslee's 4 Phase Plan as of 5/30/20:
Whatcom County is still in Phase 1 of Governor Inslee’s Plan
Phase 1
- High-risk populations: Continue to stay home, stay healthy.
- Outdoor: Some outdoor recreation (hunting, fishing, golf, boating, hiking).
- Gatherings: Religious organizations can now hold outdoor services with up to 100 people. Proper social distancing should be practiced and attendees should wear face coverings.
- Travel: Only essential travel.
- Business/Employers: Essential businesses open, including existing construction that meets agreed-upon criteria, landscaping, automobile sales, retail (curb-side pick-up orders only), car washes, pet walkers.
Phase 2
- High-risk populations: Continue to stay home, stay healthy.
- Outdoor: All outdoor recreation involving fewer than five people outside your household (camping, beaches, etc.)
- Gatherings: Gather with no more than five people outside your household per week. Indoor religious gatherings can be held at 25% capacity or with less than 50 people, whichever is less.
- Travel: Limited non-essential travel within proximity of your home.
- Business/Employers: Remaining manufacturing, new construction, in-home/domestic services (nannies, housecleaning, etc.), retail (In-store purchases allowed with restrictions), real estate, professional services/office-based businesses (telework remains strongly encouraged), hair and nail salons/barbers, restaurants <50% capacity, with table sizes no larger than 5.
Phase 3
- High-risk populations: Continue to stay home, stay healthy.
- Outdoor: Outdoor group recreational sports activities (5-50 people), recreational facilities at <50% capacity (public pools, etc.).
- Gatherings: Allow gatherings with no more than 50 people.
- Travel: Resume non-essential travel.
- Business/Employers: restaurants <75% capacity/table size no larger than 10, bars at <25% capacity, movie theaters at <50% capacity, government (telework remains strongly encouraged), libraries, museums, all other business activities not yet listed except for nightclubs and events with greater than 50 people.
Phase 4
- High-risk populations: Resume public interactions, with physical distancing
- Outdoor: Resume all recreational activity.
- Gatherings: Allow gatherings >50 people.
- Travel: Continue non-essential travel.
- Business/Employers: Nightclubs, concert venues, large sporting events, resume unrestricted staffing of worksites, but continue to practice physical distancing and good hygiene.
The state is using certain metrics to evaluate when and how to lift various restrictions. The five metrics being used are: COVID 19 disease activity; testing capacity and availability; case and contact investigations; risk to vulnerable populations, and health care system readiness.
How you can protect yourself and what to do if you think you were exposed
Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Patients reportedly have mild to severe respiratory illness. These are steps health officials recommend to protect yourself:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.