The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

OLYMPIA—Governor Inslee announced Tuesday the “Healthy Washington- Roadmap to Recovery,” a new COVID-19 two-phased recovery plan. Starting January 11, 2021, Washington will follow a regional recovery approach with each region beginning in Phase 1.

The state has been divided into eight regions. Walla Walla and Columbia Counties, along with Benton, Franklin, Kittitas, and Yakima Counties, are in the ‘Southcentral Region.’ For the region to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2, the following metrics must be met:

• Decreasing trend in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100K population (decrease >10%)

• Decreasing trend in two-week rate new COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100K population (decrease >10%)

• ICU occupancy (total — COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) of less than 90%

• COVID-19 test positivity rate of <10%

While in Phase 1, social and at-home gatherings are prohibited indoors. A maximum of 10 people from outside of your household (limit two households) will be allowed to gather outdoors. Worship services may continue at 25% capacity, as well as retail stores, professional and personal services, with remote work and curbside pickup being encouraged.

Indoor dining remains prohibited, while outdoor dining with a maximum of six people (limit two households) per table. Outdoor dining services are to close by 11 p.m. Small wedding and funeral ceremonies (under 30 attendees) are permitted, as well as limited sports, indoor and outdoor entertainment.

To advance from beyond Phase 2, the region must meet at least three of these metrics:

• Decreasing or flat trend in two-week rate of COVID-19 cases per 100K population

• Decreasing or flat trend in two-week rate new COVID-19 hospital admission rates per 100K population

• ICU occupancy (total — COVID-19 and non-COVID-19) of less than 90%

• COVID-19 test positivity rate of <10%.

Regions that fail to meet the metrics will be moved back into Phase 1.

“It’s a new year, and COVID-19 is no longer new to us,” Governor Inslee said. “We’ve learned a lot; we’ve struggled a lot; we’ve accomplished a lot. Washingtonians are undeterred. This battle continues, but the turning point is on its way.”