Approved for Phase 1.5, King County Moves Forward

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

The state approved King County to move into a modified Phase 1, allowing limited opening of restaurants, retail, and other business and activities.

Effective immediately, King County has moved into a modified Phase 1 reopening. Phase 1.5 allows limited and modified openings for a wide range of businesses, recreation, and personal activities in King County. Businesses will be required to follow specific state guidelines for their sector (click here for sector-specific guidance).

One such change is that businesses will need to reduce indoor operations to 30 minutes to help limit close interactions. Here's what - and how - things will reopen in modified Phase 1:

Restaurants	Outdoor Dining Allowed at 50% of capacity with all tables and chairs maintaining 6 feet of distance. Indoor Dining Operate at 25% of capacity, provided such tables and chairs are more than 6 feet away from each other.
In-Store Retail	All non-essential retail activities may operate but an establishment's occupancy may not be not be higher than 15% of capacity. Businesses are directed to provide signage encouraging indoor visits to less than 30 minutes, with face-to-face interactions limited to 30 minutes. Essential retail activities may continue to operate according to the existing state regulations.
Personal Services Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, Barbers, Estheticians, Manicurists, etc.	All activities may operate but the number of clients served will be limited to no more than 25% of capacity or one person if it is a single bed/chair studio.
Professional Services Accountants, architects, attorneys, engineers, financial advisors, insurance agents, tax preparers, real estate, and other office-based occupations serving a client base	All activities allowed but an establishment's occupancy should not be higher than 25% of capacity. Businesses are directed to provide signage encouraging indoor visits to be less than 30 minutes, with face to face interactions limited to 30 minutes.
Construction	All construction, including those activities for which social distancing may not be maintained and the start of new construction projects, is authorized to resume.
Fitness	Indoor fitness studios may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance but is limited to one on one activities only. All outdoor activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance, which limits the occupants to no more than five people outside of a household (excluding the instructor).
Outdoor recreation	All activities may operate subject to Phase 2 guidance, part 1, 2 and 3.
Social Gatherings	Only allowed outdoors with five or fewer people outside the household.

Have questions? King County has put together a FAQ for modified Phase 1 reopening.

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See the CDC's COVID website for current information and trends.