TRI-CITIES, Wash.- After months of being stuck in Phase One of re-opening because of high COVID-19 case counts, Benton and Franklin counties are moving into a modified Phase One, or 1.5, at midnight Thursday night.


The first domino to fall was an announcement Thursday afternoon by State Health Director Dr. John Weisman granting variance, along with Yakima County, pending approval from the two area's health district's and county commissions.


"The Department of Health has been working these past three weeks with local health officials to develop a road map and containment strategy to help them progress forward in a safe and thoughtful way", Dr. Weisman noted. "Many residents from these hot-spot counties are seeking services outside these counties, which carries the risk of spreading the virus into communities with less infection."


Following that announcement, the Benton-Franklin Health District Board met online to discuss that path forward and to modify their original application seeking Phase 2 variance.


"I'm happy we're going this direction", Benton County Commissioner Shon Small said. "The biggest reason is we can start opening some doors, for all the hard-working men and women, and not to lose their businesses that have not lost their businesses yet".


The BFHD Board, which is made up for the six county commissioners, voted in favor of both the motions, with the lone dissenting vote coming from Franklin County Commissioner Clint Didier. Didier has been a proponent of opening up completely.


So, what does Phase 1.5 mean?


It means that beginning Friday, July 3rd, new construction projects and non-essential manufacturing will be permitting. Restaurants will be allowed to open OUTDOOR seating only at 50% capacity. In-store retail at 15% capacity will be allowed, with a 30-minute customer limit. Personal services, including hair salons, will be able to open with 25% indoor capacity, as will dog grooming at 25% capacity. And, no gatherings of people outside your household of more than five people will be allowed.


And since Governor Jay Inslee also put a two-week hold on ALL applications for movement statewide, the State Health Department will be monitoring our region closely, especially hospitalization rates and mask usage surveys.

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