Update: Governor Inslee Announces Statewide Move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap to Recovery Plan

On March 11, 2021, Governor Jay Inslee announced that beginning March 22, Roadmap to Recovery will transition from a regional approach to a county-by-county evaluation process, and all counties will move into Phase 3. County metrics will be reassessed on April 12. Any county not meeting ALL metrics will be moved back to Phase 2. For large counties to remain in Phase 3, defined as counties with more than 50,000 residents, they must meet the following metrics:

• Sustain a 14-day average of new COVID cases at or below 200 per 100,000 residents
• Maintain a seven-day average of new hospitalizations per 100,000 at five or fewer

Governor Inslee said a full list of industry-level changes for the new phase will be released next week. However, the following guidance changes were addressed during his press conference:

• Sporting events – outdoor venues with permanent seating can allow capacity capped at 25%
  • High school sports (allowed to move into Phase 3 beginning March 18)
  • Professional sports
  • Motor sports, rodeos, and other outdoor spectator events
• Outdoor activities – attendance of up to 400 people
  
• Indoor activities – attendance of up to 400 people, so long as it does not exceed 50% capacity
• Larger event venues – capped at 25% occupancy, or up to 9,000 people, whichever is less
• All Indoor spaces – attendance up to 50% occupancy or 400 people, whichever is less
  • Indoor activities currently allowed: restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, among others

Spokane County Interim Health Officer Dr. Francisco Velazquez said, “The improving trends we have seen recently reflect our community’s dedication to follow guidance, get needed vaccines administered, and protect our most vulnerable. It is encouraging that our region is moving forward, and it is our hope that residents continue to follow public health measures and get vaccinated when eligible to help continue the progress we have made in mitigating the impacts of this pandemic.”

Governor Inslee’s Medium blog provides further details.