We’ve submitted an application to the Washington State Department of Health to move into Phase 2 of Safe Start Washington. The application was submitted following a vote from the Whatcom County Council, acting in their role as the Health Board, and a statement of support from County Executive Satpal Sidhu.

Read more about the application process, or view our application.

If approved by the Secretary of Health, this move would relax several of the measures taken locally to slow the spread of COVID-19. However safety and caution will remain crucial to avoid a new wave of infections. 

Some of the changes that will come in Phase 2 if the application is accepted include:

• Social gatherings - inside or outside - with no more than five people per week who you don’t live with.

• More manufacturing and construction activity, domestic services such as nannies and house cleaners, retail stores, real estate services, professional services, nail salons, barbers, and pet grooming may reopen, with some restrictions.

• Restaurants would be able to open at 50% capacity, but without bar seating.

You can find more information about the Safe Start plan, including detailed information about Phase 2, at www.coronavirus.gov.

Approval of the application by the Washington State Department of Health is expected within a few days.

If approved for Phase 2, Whatcom County would need to wait a minimum of three weeks before being eligible to apply for Phase 3. We will be continually monitoring for outbreaks, PPE supply shortages, testing availability, and health care system capacity to know that it is safe to stay in Phase 2.