Grays Harbor County filed its Phase 3 variance application with the state Department of Health Friday, three weeks to the day the county’s Phase 2 variance was accepted.
“I was told by (state Secretary of Health) John Wiesman the time frame for approvals has been taking a little bit longer,” said County Commissioner Vickie Raines to the Hoquiam City Council Monday. “Instead of being a day after submission, we anticipate it to be a couple of days, so we’re hoping to hear back by the 16th or 17th.”
The county board of health met at 2 p.m. Friday to approve the application, which is similar to the Phase 2 variance application, including a letter from county health official Dr. John Bausher, and letters from Grays Harbor Community Hospital and Summit Pacific Medical Center.
The board of health, made up of county commissioners Vickie Raines, Randy Ross and Wes Cormier, approved the application with little discussion, other than Ross thanking “Public Health staff for putting (the application) together in such a well-documented and cohesive manner.”
The Board of County Commissioners gave its stamp of approval to the variance application at a brief 3 p.m. meeting Friday. The application as approved was given to Grays Harbor County Public Health Director Karolyn Holden, who will submit the application to the state before the end of business Friday.
Phase 3 of the state’s phased plan to reopen the state allows for:
• Outdoor group recreational sports activities of up to 50 people
• Gyms, public pools and other recreational facilities to open at 50% capacity
• Gatherings of up to 50 people and resumption of non-essential travel
• Restaurants can operate at 75% seating capacity with tables of up to 10, and bar areas at 25% capacity
Customer-facing government services
• Libraries and museums and other business activities to resume except for nightclubs and events with more than 50 people
• High risk populations are still strongly encouraged to stay home unless engaging in stage-permissible activities in Phase 3.
The state’s risk assessment dashboard as of June 10 shows Grays Harbor County is still qualified to move into Phase 3. The county is passing each of the four key metrics used to determine eligibility: rate of new cases during the previous two weeks, number of tests administered for each new case during the prior week, percent of individuals testing positive the prior week, and number of available hospital beds.
Pacific County can apply for its Phase 3 variance Saturday, and is also meeting or exceeding the goals set by the state to move into Phase 3.
Reopening county facilities
Friday the Board of County Commissioners also said the county plans to reopen its facilities, with safety measures in place, to the public June 29. Raines said she had spoken earlier in the week with Sheriff Rick Scott and Superior Court Judge David Edwards, with Edwards telling her he planned to open the courthouse June 29.
County elected officials and department heads were given a draft ordinance Friday outlining the safety measures and other steps that need to be taken before county facilities can reopen. Commissioners will discuss the plan at the board’s Tuesday meeting.
