7 Regions Move to Phase 2 (92% of State), But NOT Ours

Gov. Inslee led off his press conference Thursday by announcing 7 more regions will be opening up to Phase 2...except the South Central, which includes Benton, Franklin and Yakima Counties.  Also Kittitas and Columbia.

Those other regions will be moving to Phase 2 Monday February 15th.

Inslee claims the South Central meets 2 of the 3 (out of 4) criteria required to move up.  It's interesting that Spokane media were reporting two hours ago that the East Region would be moving up to Phase 2, long before Inslee's press conference.

 It is also noted the data at the state site coronavirus.wa.gov shows data from January 28, and the very lates metrics Inslee showed in press conferenc are NOT posted yet.

According to the graphics posted in press conference, it's either the positivity rate or the trend in case rate that is too high for our region. Because updated figures have not been posted, this is going off previous data.

During the press conference Inslee also mentioned another $43 million in business grants and assistance will be made available for application.

In Phase 2, a maximum of five people from outside of a person's household can gather indoors, plus indoor dining is available at 25% capacity until 11 p.m.. Indoor fitness centers can also open at 25% capacity. We will have to wait at least another two weeks before we find out (end of February) if we get to move up, as the state is only re-evaluating every two weeks, instead of every week

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