Seven more counties get green light to move to Phase 2
May 23, 2020, 8:45 PM | Updated: May 25, 2020, 12:11 pm
Lime Kiln Lighthouse, Lime Kiln State Park, San Juan Island, Washington. (Photo by: Greg Vaughn /VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
(Photo by: Greg Vaughn /VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Seven more counties were approved on Saturday to move on to Phase 2 in Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start plan: Cowlitz, Grant, Island, Jefferson, Mason, Pacific, and San Juan counties.
What’s allowed as counties reopen under Gov. Inslee’s ‘Safe Start’ phases
With the seven additional counties, there are now 21 counties that have been approved to move on. Already approved are: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Pacific, Pend Orielle, San Juan, Skamania, Spokane, Stevens, Wahkiakum and Whitman.
Eligible are Clallam, Kitsap and Thurston counties. The state has paused applications from Kittitas and Clark counties due to outbreak investigations.
On Friday, health officials in Snohomish County said they likely won’t meet the state requirements to move to Phase 2 by June 1. County Executive Dave Somers said other counties, including King, likely won’t be able to advance by June 1 either.
