Grays Harbor County is approved for phase 3 variance

Grays Harbor has been approved to move to Phase 3 of Governor Jay Inslee’s Safe Start
approach to reopening Washington. On June 12, 2020, Grays Harbor County Public
Health Officer Dr. John Bausher made recommendation to the Grays Harbor County
Board of Health to apply to the Washington State Department of Health for Phase 3
variance. Grays Harbor Public Health has received notice today that the variance has
been approved. The change from Phase 2 to Phase 3 is effective immediately.

As the County continues to progress in reopening phases, citizens in the community
need to be mindful that COVID-19 is still present and that exposure may still occur.
Grays Harbor County has experienced a low rate of cases within our community. In
order to remain a safe and healthy community, Grays Harbor Public Health and Grays
Harbor County Emergency Management want to remind citizens that it is still important
to maintain social distancing, wash your hands and wear face coverings whenever
possible in public. Staying home as much as possible and limiting the number of people
you come in contact with will help keep everyone healthy.

In Phase 3, it is still strongly encouraged, but not required, that high-risk populations
continue to stay home unless engaging in permissible activities. Recreational activities
are able to expand such as outdoor group recreations (50 or fewer people), gyms and
public pools (<50% capacity), and gatherings up to 50 people. Non-essential travel is
able to resume. Restaurants/taverns can have 75% capacity with table sizes no larger
than 10. Bars can reopen to 25% capacity. Movie theaters can reopen to 50% capacity.
Libraries, museums, and all other business activities not yet listed with the exception of
nightclubs and events with greater than 50 people can reopen.

An individual Phase 3 business sector may reopen only AFTER the state publishes its guidelines for the specific sector, or generic phase guidance which applies to all businesses opening in Phase 3. An
individual business is only allowed to reopen after it can implement those guidelines. The guidelines can be accessed at https://www.governor.wa.gov/issues/issues/covid-19-resources/covid-19-reopening-gui
dance-businesses-and-workers.

Grays Harbor County Public Health continues to operate a COVID-19 Call Center that can
assist people with testing referrals. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish.
Call (360) 964-1850. The Call Center is available Monday through Friday, 8:30am-12pm
and 12:30pm-4pm.

Grays Harbor Public Health and Grays Harbor Emergency Operations Center provide the
most accurate, timely information possible. For information about COVID-19 and our
response, visit our website at http://www.healthyGH.org . Like us on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/healthyghc .