OLYMPIA, Wash. – Whatcom and all Washington counties can now apply to move to Phase 2 in the governor’s re-opening plan.
Jay Inslee announced Friday that his “Stay Home Stay Healthy” order, which expires Sunday, is being replaced by “Safe Start.”
It includes a less-strict infection rate threshold of fewer than 25 per 100,000 residents.
It also includes rules for hospital capacity, increased testing and a 90% target for contact tracing of people who’ve come into contact with an infected person.
Inslee says re-infection rates have moved in a positive direction, allowing for more businesses and activities to resume under safe guidelines.