North Snohomish News

Snohomish County received state approval to enter the second phase of Washington’s reopening process by state Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

Snohomish was one of six counties that got the OK to move from the first phase to the second phase of reopening, KING-TV reported.

Restaurants can reopen with a capacity of 50% or less and a limit of five people per table. Salons and barbershops were allowed to reopen, plus pet services. Camping and other outdoor recreational activities that are allowed were expanded in phase two as well. Gatherings of groups of five people were also approved. 

Washington counties could ask to shift to the next phase based on several targets. The state wanted counties to have two weeks with fewer than 25 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, KING-TV reported. They had to show hospital bed capacity was adequate and that they had enough personal protective equipment on hand.

The state also wants counties to have plans for testing, contact tracing and a method for housing people in quarantine. County government, local hospitals, the local board of health and the local health officer had to support the application to change phases as well.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced the expansion of its testing strategy, which shifted from testing only people with serious symptoms to people with mild symptoms as well, KING-TV reported.

The next phase allows groups of up to 50 people, restaurant capacity is increased to 75% and bars get to reopen at 25% capacity. Government buildings, libraries and museums also would be able to reopen. Phase four lets groups of more than 50 get together with social distancing and most places open to full capacity.