OLYMPIA, Wash. — Governor Jay Inslee is loosening school reopening guidelines.
Inslee unveiled the state’s latest reopening standards, which say when COVID-19 cases represent less than 50 per 100,000 people, schools should make in-person learning available to all students.
Cases in Whatcom County are currently at 225 cases per 100,000, according to the health department.
At that point, districts are encouraged to phase in in-person learning.
Districts in counties with higher COVID-19 activity should still phase in in-person learning, but in groups of 15 or fewer students.
The update comes after recent data showed limited COVID-19 transmission in school environments when state health and safety protocols are in place.
Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal also announced $3 million to be distributed to implement health and safety protocols.