What is Healthy Washington?

Healthy Washington is the phased reopening plan for Washington state. The plan took effect on January 11, 2021. On March 11, 2021, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that the plan will transition from a regional approach to a county-by-county evaluation process.

How do I know which phase I am in?

King County entered Phase 3 on March 22, 2021.

When can a county move to another phase?

Certain metrics and thresholds help determine if it is safe for a county to enter into a new phase of reopening. Counties will be individually evaluated every three weeks. The first evaluation is scheduled for April 12.

For a overview of the metrics used for measuring a county’s progress, visit https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/roadmap-recovery-metrics.

Which activities are allowed in Phase 3?

Phase 3 allows for additional indoor activities, including dining, indoor entertainment establishments (such as aquariums, theaters, museums) and more at maximum 50% capacity (400 people max).

Updated industry guidelines included below. For a complete list of industries, visit the Governor’s website.

The following business activities must adhere to the occupancy and operation requirements outlined for their region’s Healthy Washington phase:

• Spectator Events – Updated April 19
• Religious and Faith-Based Organizations – Updated March 23
• Professional Services – Updated March 19
• Personal Services – Updated March 19
• Eating and Drinking Establishments – Updated March 17
• Weddings, Funerals and Events – Updated March 23
• Fitness and Training – Updated March 26
• Outdoor Recreation – Updated March 23
• Water Recreation – Updated March 23
• Sporting Activities – Updated April 21
  • Sporting Activities FAQ – Updated March 24
• Racing: non-motorized and motorized – Updated April 19
• Golf – Updated March 18

Indoor Entertainment Establishments

• Indoor Entertainment – Updated March 24
• Bowling – Updated March 18
• Card Rooms – Updated March 18
• Movie Theaters – Updated March 19
• Museums – Updated March 19
• Drive-In Theaters and Events – Updated March 23
• Zoos and Aquariums – Updated March 18

Additional Industry Requirements​

• Agricultural Industry
  • Agricultural Industry Safety Plan Interpretive Guidance
• Agricultural Events – Updated March 19
• Agritourism – Updated March 19
• Car Washes
• Construction – Updated April 21
• Cruises
• Domestic Services
• Fairs and Special Events – Updated April 26
• In Store Retail – Updated March 17
• Libraries – Updated March 22
  • WA Talking Book and Braille Library
• Manufacturing
• Miscellaneous Venues – Updated March 19
• Motion Picture Industry
• Outdoor Maintenance/Landscaping
• Pet Grooming
• Professional Photography– Updated March 19
• Real Estate – Updated March 17
• Theater and Performing Arts – Updated April 21
• Transportation
• Vehicle and Vessel Sales
• Workforce Education Programs

For additional industry-specific safety practices, including those for Farm and Agricultural Workers, Food Workers and Establishments, schools, healthcare providers, and others, visit the Department of Health’s Resources and Recommendations Page.

• Resources for changing building operations, including ventilating (ASHARE)

• Reopening Toolkit (King County) – All the materials you need to print for reference and to display, to help reopen and operate your business safely. Also available in Spanish.

• Construction Toolkit (Master Builders Association) – Requirements to Safely Restart all construction activity

• Back to Work Toolkit (Madrona Ventures) – Tools, templates, checklists and guides that fit the practical needs of many company leaders –from HR to CEO to Facilities – to build a safe work plan for getting back to the physical workplace.

• Reopening Checklists (City of Seattle) – Includes checklists for reopening your business, financial resources, printable signage and more for multiple industries (multiple languages). Toolkits are not intended to provide public health guidance, but are meant to distill information from the state and county and make reopening guidance more accessible (multiple languages).

• Reopening Toolkit (Chambers of Kitsap County) – The Reopening Toolkit developed by our neighbors in Kitsap County provides a detailed roadmap for how businesses can prepare and plan for reopening, in addition to other information. Kitsap County is also in Phase 2 under the state’s reopening of business, recreational, and social activities.

• Resource Guide for Employers (Business Health Trust)

• Interim guidance for businesses and employers (CDC)

• Guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 (OSHA)

Community and business activities, including restaurant dining, are safer outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Washington state governor Jay Inslee has issued specific requirements related to this activity.

Open Air and Outdoor Seating Requirements (Office of the Governor, updated 2/12/2021)
https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19%20Outdoor%20Open%20Air%20Seating%20Guidance.pdf

For cities, communities, and business districts:

• Healthy Business Streets Guide (King County) https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/environmental-health/~/media/depts/health/environmental-health/documents/publications/healthy-business-streets-guide.ashx

Outdoor seating and dining guides:

• Outdoor Seating and Dining (City of Bellevue)
  https://bellevuewa.gov/sites/default/files/media/pdf_document/2021/COVID-19%20Business%20Assistance%20-%20Patio%20Seating%20and%20Dining%20%28updated%203.2021%29.pdf
• Winter Outdoor Dining Tents and Canopies (City of Redmond)
  https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15962/Scenarios-for-Outdoor-Dining-Requirements-2020-PDF

Additional outdoor guides:

• Drive-In Cultural Events (City of Bellevue)
  https://bellevuewa.gov/sites/default/files/media/pdf_document/2020/COVID-19%20Business%20Assistance%20-%20Drive-In%20Cultural%20Events.pdf

Explore moving your business online using the platforms listed below.

• Sell on Amazon (Amazon)
• Host Facebook Live Classes (Facebook)
• Host Virtual Meetings (Skype)

Add your listing to these local promotional platforms and reach customers on the Eastside and greater Seattle.

• Eastside Restaurant Support Group: Share your offerings with over 6,000 Eastside potential customers. Join to add your restaurant or to help support.
• Experience Redmond: Submit/manage your business listing.
• Shop Local Kirkland: Connect with potential customers by adding your company to this online resource.
• Support Puget Sound Small Business: Contact supportsmallbiz@seattle.gov to add your business to the map.
• What’s Open Eastside: Add your business to the map here.

Film Festival Alliance is hosting free virtual roundtables open to all festival professionals. These virtual events cover information that ranges from how to stream online festivals to hosting drive-ins. Sign up here!

Social media tools like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are all popular and inexpensive ways of marketing your businesses to potential customers. If you’re not familiar with these solutions or need a refresher check out some of the tutorials below.

• Facebook Solutions 
• Instagram Solutions 
• LinkedIn Solutions 
• Twitter Solutions 

• COVID-19 Supply Resources for Employers (Business Health Trust)

  Business Health Trust has compiled a list of supplies that are available for members to purchase from member companies throughout Washington.

• Hazardous Waste Management Program (King County)

  King County’s Hazardous Waste Management Program offers a voucher incentive program for eligible businesses to purchase PPE and make other improvements. Eligible businesses can receive up to $599 cash back for these improvements.

• PPE Marketplace (AWB)

  The PPE Marketplace is a resource offered by the Association of Washington Businesses that connects businesses with manufacturers that supply PPE.

• PPE and Other Supplies

  Organizations whose lines of business are included state guidance are eligible to order personal protective equipment from King County Office of Emergency Management when it cannot be obtained from other sources, and if the organization ordering the supplies is making efforts to limit the quantities of PPE it uses.

• Potentially exposed employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and follow the steps laid out here by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Support and guidance for workers during COVID-19 available here (Public Health – Seattle & King County)

• Public Health – Seattle & King County
• King County’s Safe Start for Taverns and Restaurants (SSTAR) program
  If you are a food business owner or a food worker and have questions related to your operation, please reach out to your Health Investigator by calling 206-263-9566 or email sstarinfo@kingcounty.gov.