May 28, 2020

Kitsap County approved for Phase 2 of Safe Start plan for COVID-19 recovery

Residents and business owners urged to review Phase 2 guidance.

KITSAP COUNTY, WA — The Kitsap Public Health District received notification this morning that Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved Kitsap County’s request for a variance to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 under the state’s Safe Start plan for COVID-19 recovery.

Approval is effective immediately, meaning Kitsap County is now in Phase 2.

“I am thrilled the Secretary of Health has approved Kitsap County to move ahead under the Governor’s Safe Start plan so quickly and I want to thank the Kitsap County residents, businesses and community organizations that worked so hard to position our county to take this step forward,” Kitsap Public Health Board Chair Rob Putaansuu said.

"We're pleased to begin reviving the economy here and getting more businesses open and people back to work." said Commissioner Charlotte Garrido, chair of the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners. "With this step, we must continue to take safety precautions to protect our community and move forward to the next phases of recovery."

Washington’s Safe Start plan outlines a four-phase approach to gradually resuming business and social activities that have been restricted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 2 of the plan allows some new business sectors and activities to resume, with limitations and safety measures in place.

Businesses and activities authorized under Phase 2 include (full list here):

• Remaining manufacturing
• Additional construction phases
• In-home/domestic services
• Retail
• Real estate
• Professional services/office-based businesses
• Hair and nail salons/barbers
• Pet grooming
• Restaurants and taverns (at <50% capacity)
• Gatherings with up to five people from outside your household per week.
• Outdoor recreation with five or fewer people from outside your household (camping, beaches, etc.)

Per the Secretary of Health's approval letter, "an individual business is only allowed to reopen after it can implement the state guidelines for a safe start."

Guidance for businesses and additional resources can be found in the Kitsap County Pathway to Recovery Playbook at the Kitsap County Coronavirus Resources and Information page and on the governor’s Safe Start page. 

COVID-19 REMAINS A THREAT

While Kitsap County met the criteria to move ahead under the Safe Start plan, Kitsap Public Health officials caution that COVID-19 remains a threat in Kitsap County.

“We know COVID-19 is still present in our county and we believe our case count will increase again unless Kitsap County residents continue to take steps to protect their health and prevent the spread of the virus,” Kitsap Public Health District Health Officer Dr. Susan Turner said.

“As restrictions are gradually relaxed under the Safe Start plan, it becomes vital that each of us take personal responsibility for safeguarding the health of our community. The community has done an amazing job of responding to this crisis and we need to keep working together to stay on track.”

Regardless of what phase of the Safe Start plan is in effect, Kitsap County residents are urged to:

• Maintain six feet of distance from others in public whenever possible
• Wear a cloth face covering in places where physical distance can’t be maintained. Be compassionate to people who cannot wear face coverings.
• Stay home when sick
• Wash hands frequently
• Clean and disinfect frequently used objects and surfaces
• Cover coughs and sneezes

Find additional COVID-19 information and prevention steps at cdc.gov. Find local COVID-19 updates at kitsappublichealth.org.

Business Guidance and Resources

MEDIA CONTACT: pio@kitsappublichealth.org