Clark County Public Health plans to submit a Phase 3 application to the state Department of Health by Friday, so the county can enter the next phase of Washington’s COVID-19 recovery plan.
Wednesday morning, Clark County Public Health Officer Dr. Alan Melnick recommended to the Clark County Board of Health that the county is ready to move to Phase 3, which will allow more businesses to reopen and lessens physical distancing restrictions.
The county was approved for Phase 2 on June 5, and the earliest it can apply for Phase 3 is Friday. The department of health will likely decide on the application within a couple days.
So far, Clark County is hitting almost all of the necessary criteria to enter Phase 3, according to Melnick’s comments at this morning’s meeting. Those criteria are centered around testing, hospital capacity, contact notification, case investigation and other areas.
Phase 3 would allow for outdoor group sports activities with 50 people or fewer. Gyms and pools can also open at less than 50 percent capacity. Gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed, which includes spiritual or religious services.
Libraries and museums can reopen. Movie theaters can reopen at less than 50 percent capacity, and people can resume non-essential travel. Restaurants and taverns can increase from 50 to 75 percent capacity, and bar areas in restaurants and taverns can now hold 25 percent capacity.
Clark County is still in Phase 2, and Public Health asks people to still follow Phase 2 protocol.
This story will be updated.
Source: https://www.columbian.com
Be First to Comment