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Republican Open Safe, Open Now plan

The governor announced his “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan on January 5. On February 25, he said all regions would stay in Phase 2 for the next several weeks. As of March 3, the governor had not identified a Phase 3. This is unfair to all Washingtonians, who deserve more certainty and transparency from their state government.

Because of Washingtonians’ sacrifices, the state’s public health emergency has subsided. Yet, many children, seniors, families, and businesses are in crisis as a result of shutdown orders. It is time to help those in crisis. We need to get students back to school and people back to work. It is time to end the isolation of our children and seniors. Washingtonians should be trusted when it comes to their health and safety. And the Legislature must lead.

Open Safe, Open Now | The Republican plan for Phase 3 and beyond

On March 4, we released another real solution: Open Safe, Open Now: The Republican Plan for Phase 3 and Beyond.

It is a simple, practical, and consistent plan that respects local control and trusts the people of Washington.
All counties would immediately be allowed to move to Phase 3.
After three weeks, all counties would automatically move to Phase 4.
If a county health jurisdiction determines its county is not prepared to move to the next phase, county health officials would need to demonstrate why based on trends in case and hospital admission rates, Intensive Care Unit bed capacity, and virus positivity rate. It would also provide a plan for the county to get to the next phase.

PHASE 3: Effective immediately

Returning students to the classroom

All children in grades K-12 would immediately return to the classroom for in-person instruction.
School districts would implement safety protocols provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have said distancing in schools should be reduced from six feet to three feet.

Putting people back to work

Hospitality businesses and public venues statewide, such as restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, museums, libraries, and other entertainment venues, would open to 50% capacity.
Bars and restaurants would stop serving alcohol and close at midnight.
State parks and other state agencies whose function is tourism/recreation would resume bookings for day-use and overnight facilities at 50% capacity.
Indoor weddings and indoor religious services would open to 50% capacity.
Professional services would open to 50% capacity.

PHASE 4: Effective three weeks after implementing Phase 3

Fully open at 100%

After a county has operated at Phase 3 for three weeks with no significant spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations, all activities return to 100% capacity.
Bars and restaurants would return to serving alcohol until 2 a.m.