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Phased Reopening

As part of his proclamation extending the Stay Home – Stay Healthy Order through May 31, Governor Inslee established a phased approach to reopening the state: Safe Start Washington.

Under the plan, the entire state began in Phase I of four planned phases, with each phase expected to last at least three weeks. The Department of Health and Governor Inslee will periodically reevaluate factors related to health care system readiness, testing capacity and availability, case investigations and contact tracing, and the ability to protect high-risk populations in determining whether Washington should move to the next phase, remain in the current phase, or move back to a more restrictive phase.

Under Phase I:

  • High-risk populations are to remain at home;
  • Some outdoor recreation (hunting, fishing, golf, boating, hiking) is allowed;
  • Social gatherings are not permitted with individuals from different households;
  • Spiritual gatherings may operate as drive-in services with one household per vehicle;
  • Travel is limited to only essential and other “Phase I permissible” activities; and
  • A select few businesses are allowed to be open if they are essential businesses, certain existing construction projects, landscaping, auto/RV/boat/off-road vehicle sales, retail (curb-side pickup only), car washes, and pet walkers.

Smaller counties may request a variance to move to Phase II before the rest of the state if they have fewer than 75,000 residents and have not identified a resident with COVID-19 for the three consecutive weeks immediately prior to requesting the variance.  Currently, Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Ferry, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, and Whitman Counties have been approved to move to Phase II, while the rest of the state remains in Phase I.
Continue Reading The Status of Washington’s COVID-19 Restrictions: Phased Reopening, Contact Tracing, and Mask Requirements

On Thursday, May 7, 2020 – six weeks after Oregon Governor Brown announced a statewide “Stay Home” order – Governor Brown released details for Reopening Oregon over the coming weeks and months.  The Governor’s plan follows federal guidance and permits certain businesses to reopen in phases after specific public health prerequisites are met.

In the first phase of the plan, counties that satisfy those prerequisites may permit certain business activities starting on May 15.  Phase 1 activities include sit-down dining at restaurants and bars and personal care services.  Each phase is required to last at least 21 days to ensure that each health benchmark is met before further loosening restrictions in the next phase.

In her announcement, the Governor also issued guidance for various sectors of the state – the public, employers, outdoor recreation, restaurants & bars, retail stores, and personal services providers.  The state’s guidance for employers is summarized below; we provided more detail for many of these concepts in our own Ten Things to Consider in Getting Back to Work.

General Considerations

  • Know the signs of COVID-19 illness and have a plan for what to do if an employee develops symptoms at the workplace.
  • Follow state and federal guidelines to protect employee health and safety.
  • Promote social distancing at work.
  • Understand your obligations under state and federal leave laws.

Continue Reading Reopening Oregon: Governor Brown Releases Details and Guidance for Businesses

As restrictions are easing, employers are planning for and starting to bring people back to work.  In these extraordinary times, everyone recognizes that things will not be business as usual.  Here is our “Top 10” checklist of things to consider as we move toward the “new normal.”

  1. Reluctant Returners. Many employees are eager to return

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Employers facing changes in their business or broader economic downturns must find ways to respond and weather the storm.  Typically, this means cutting expenses, while maintaining their ability to operate.  For many (if not most) businesses, payroll is the single largest expense item.  And when business slows, employees are left with excess capacity and are…

On April 23, 2020, Idaho’s Governor Little adopted “Guidelines” that constitute a “data-driven approach to opening up Idaho’s economy.”  The proposed approach is intended to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to the State’s most vulnerable population and preserve capacity in the healthcare system, while opening up businesses safely.  The Governor’s action readily acknowledges that employee…

Oregon Governor Kate Brown announced this week that Oregon is developing a multifaceted, step-by-step plan for reopening businesses and relaxing its “stay at home” measures.  In accordance with federal guidance, Oregon’s plan has three phases, with gating criteria and core preparedness requirements that must be met before moving to the next phase. Between each phase,…

On April 22, Governor Dunleavy announced Health Mandate 016, reflecting Phase 1 of the Governor’s Reopen Alaska Responsibly Plan.  The Governor anticipates issuing information on Phases 2 through 5 of the Plan in the near future.

Phase 1 of the Plan permits limited openings of businesses, including restaurants, retail businesses, personal services businesses, and both…