On Friday, King County received permission for residents and businesses here to enter a modified Phase 1, referred to as Phase 1.5 of Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 pandemic Safe Start reopening plan. Under Phase 1.5, businesses may increase certain activities if they are able to meet Washington State’s public health guidance (click here to see the guidance.)
The gradual increase of activities is, according to Public Health Seattle & King County, meant to mitigate community transmission of the virus. Visit the Safe Start King County website to learn more.
Nearly all activities to be allowed in Phase 2 will be allowed in Phase 1.5, just with lower capacities and time limits on indoor activities like retail. Generally, the modified Phase 1 allows indoor activities at half the capacity allowed in Phase 2.
For Fremont, this means that:
- Fitness – outdoor activities may be done with no more than five people, and indoor activities may commence but only as one-on-one
- Retail – All businesses may re-open, with occupancy never exceeding 15%, and customers staying no more than 30 minutes
- Personal Services (hair, nails, tattoo, ) – All activities may operate at 25% of the maximum number capable of being served – or one person for a single bed/chair studio.
- Professional Services – An establishment’s occupancy may not be higher than 25%, with services limited to 30 minutes per visitor.
- Restaurants – outdoor dining activities may operate at 50% of capacity, with tables and chairs maintaining 6 feet of distance (additional/new seating will be allowed by city permit,) and indoor dining may operate at 25% of table capacity, with tables and chairs six feet distant. No bar seating is permitted, only five people or less to each table, and menus must be single use.
Specific guidance about each type of business can be found through links on the King County Safe Start website (click here,) but nearly all businesses are requested to have employees wear masks and encourage customers to wear them as well (except in cases of medical conditions.) Also, all businesses must maintain very clean, sanitized surfaces, with frequent cleanings and provide safe, physical distance for employees and customers.
Workers/employees may refuse to work in unsafe conditions, and employers may choose to protect themselves, their staff and customers by operating at Phase 1 or pre-Phase conditions. Not all businesses will re-open immediately, and not all employees – and customers – may return. Customers, especially those at high-risk of contracting coronavirus or growing mortally ill from it, must weigh their own comfort and safety before engaging with any business or service provider.
In Fremont, our businesses and restaurants are opening quickly but carefully, with consideration and conscientious steps. Not all businesses are ready for Phase 1.5, but the neighborhood is anxious, excited and enthusiastic about meeting and exceeding expectations for the summer to come and serving our visitors.
Please come out and explore the neighborhood, checking on your favorite businesses and visiting a few you might not have met before! Our small, independent and locally-based businesses are evolving to meet the ‘new normal’ of King County’s Stay Safe guidelines, and we look forward to showing off our ability to safely serve you!