Last five WA counties moved to full Phase-2 of re-opening

OLYMPIA, Wash.-All counties in Washington State will soon be in at least Phase 2 of re-opening.

Governor Jay Inslee made the announcement Tuesday afternoon during a media availability that Benton, Franklin, Yakima, Chelan and Douglas counties will be elevated from the current Modified Phase 1 to a full Phase 2.

Those five counties had been experiencing the highest rate of COVID-19 cases and had been stuck in Phase 1 when Inslee put a freeze on any movement to the next phase at the end of July. One month later, on August 26th, the Governor placed all five at the same level in the modified Phase 1.

In addition to the Modified Phase-1 activities, the five counties will be allowed to have bowling leagues, and other indoor activities at 25%, including movie theaters, museums, as well as, 50% capacity for indoor dining and 25% capacity for indoor religious services.

Once the move is complete on, there will be 22 counties in Phase 2, 17 in Phase 3 and none in Phase 4, or fully re-opened from the affects of the pandemic.