On Valentine’s Day, 25 more counties in Washington move to Phase 2
Governor Inslee’s office recently announced that five more regions in Washington are moving to Phase 2 of Washington’s Safe Start guidance starting on February 15th. The effective date has now been moved up to February 14th. This adjustment allows businesses to open for Valentine’s Day.
The five regions moving forward to Phase 2 all showed improved COVID numbers in recent weeks. Only six counties will remain in Phase 1 — states in the South Central Region. Those counties are not showing improved COVID numbers like the rest of the state: their numbers actually got worse in recent weeks.
Most significantly, Phase 2 allows for indoor seating at 25 percent capacity. It also requires businesses like brewery taprooms to offer a certain level of food service.
Below, we provide more information from the Washington Brewers Guild.
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See our previous post about recent changes to the food service requirements.
Five More Regions Moving to Phase 2 on Sunday, February 14th
(Feb. 12) Last night, Governor Inslee announced the effective date for the five regions moving to Phase 2 is now Sunday, February 14th. This will allow businesses to open in time for Valentine’s Day.
The five regions moving to Phase 2 this Sunday are:
- East (Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, Whitman, Garfield, Asotin)
- North (Island, San Juan, Whatcom, Skagit)
- North Central (Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant)
- Northwest (Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason)
- Southwest (Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania)
Puget Sound and West regions will remain in Phase 2.
- South Central Region (Benton, Franklin, Columbia, Kittitas, Walla Walla, and Yakima Counties) will remain in Phase 1.
Healthy Washington: Phases – What’s Allowed?
The following restrictions are in place for eating and drinking establishments:
Phase 1
Indoor service prohibited
Outdoor and Open Air Service: 11pm close, maximum 6 per table, limit 2 households per table
Phase 2
Indoor service: 25% capacity, 11pm close, maximum 6 per table, limit 2 households per table
Outdoor and Open Air Service allowed: maximum 6 per table, limit 2 households per table
All previous health and safety guidance still applies
Phase 2 On-site Food Requirements:
Breweries are still required to have food on-site for Phase 2 indoor dining, however, the rules have been updated to allow for snack options, food trucks, and outside food. Here is the updated guidance:
Food offerings must be provided on-site by the licensed business to customers, during COVID-19 business operations, until such time as full capacity in licensed locations is allowed
“Food offerings” means a combination of small serving food items to include a mix of hors d’oeuvre type foods, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, deli-style meats, chips, pretzels, nuts, popcorn, crackers, or similar items
- Food offerings may be free-of-charge or sold
- Food offerings may be prepackaged for individual sale and consumption
- Food offerings may be prepared off-site for plating for the customer
- Food offerings are not required to have warming, cooking, or heating off-site or on-site prior to service
In addition to the required on-site food offerings, the Brewery or Winery shall post, in a conspicuous place within any tasting room, a list of multiple local restaurants or food trucks where customers can purchase food for consumption in the tasting room. The list shall include names, addresses, contact information, and hours of operation for each restaurant or food truck named
