July 23, 2020 Governor makes changes to Safe Start Plan At a press conference today, Gov. Jay Inslee and Health Secretary John Wiesman announced several planned changes to the state’s Safe Start plan to curtail gatherings between people who are not from the same household. Changes can be expected for restaurants, bars, fitness centers, family entertainment centers, movie theaters, card rooms and weddings and funerals. Beginning July 30, indoor dining in restaurants and bars will be limited to household members and table size will be reduced to five people with total occupancy to be 50 percent capacity in Phase 3 areas. Alcohol sales must end at 10PM; game areas must close and bars will close indoor service. Also effective on July 30, gyms and fitness centers will be limited to five people for counties in Phase 2. For Phase 3 areas, total occupancy will be limited to 25 percent capacity. Beginning August 6, weddings and funerals will be limited to 20percent capacity or 30 people, whichever is less and people must maintain a physical distance of six feet. Ceremonies will be permitted, however receptions will be prohibited. “The only affective tool against this pandemic is to change some of our practices,” Inslee said. “We are in a position that possibly could result in a Florida-like condition if we do not act. We are going to take the actions to reduce physical interactions in some of our businesses with the hope that in combination with our masking initiative, we can get this pandemic under control.” The state’s eviction moratorium was extended to Oct. 15. More information about the moratorium will be available soon. To read more about today’s announcement, go to https://medium.com/wagovernor/inslee-announces- rollbacks-to-some-activities-to-slow-covid-19- exposure-19003e510127. Facemasks are available at the following locations: Safeway Food Store, Sims Way, WA, 6am-10pm Food Coop, 414 Kearney Street, 8am-7pm Quilcene Village Store, Hwy. 101, 7am-11pm QFC Port Hadlock, 1890 Irondale Road, 8am-8p Masks for low-income families are available at: Public Health in Port Townsend Olycap, YMCA, Food Bank FAQs for Businesses/Employers RE: Positive COVID-19 Test Results: https://jeffersoncountypublichealth.org/1437/Business-Resources .