TACOMA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee announced every county in Washington will move to Phase 3 in the state's Roadmap to Recovery plan on Tuesday, May 18.
The governor’s announcement means restaurants, gyms, and places of worship in Pierce County will now be allowed to open up their indoor capacities to 50%, and 50 people will be allowed at outdoor gatherings, while indoor gatherings are capped at 10 people.
The announcement was widely welcomed by Pierce County, which has struggled to keep COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations down. Pierce County leaders previously expressed frustration with the reopening plan after Inslee announced a pause earlier in May. The two-week halt prevented several counties from rolling back to Phase 2, which Pierce County leaders claimed was unfair.
But lawmakers said the move to Phase 3 gives people a chance to breathe and shows them that by working together, the county can move forward.
“While we had some hiccups along the way, so many of us are doing our part to reduce the number of cases in Pierce County,” said Washington State Senator T’wina Nobles. “I think folks will be inspired and motivated and hopeful and will continue to get those vaccines.”
Inslee also stated Washington will now shift its focus to vaccinations instead of restrictions, an approach that’s left the business community fatigued after months of lockdowns.
“When we roll back, we’re shutting down restaurants who are really doing their level best to meet the standards and exceed the standards, and they’re doing a really good job on their part, but they’re the ones who get penalized when we roll back,” Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards explained.
Lawmakers also said Inslee shifting the focus from restrictions to vaccinations allows for more hope of a return to a life many want to get back to.
“If the reality is getting vaccinated means there are more privileges and opportunities to live a life that is familiar, to be with our friends and family, to just be out more with those who are already vaccinated, I think that’s a very inspirational message,” said Nobles. “We don’t want to feel consistently penalized. We want something that’s going to keep us excited and hopeful.”