The Ocean Shores Sand and Sawdust Festival is the latest event canceled amid COVID-19 concerns and the uncertainty of when Gov. Jay Inslee will allow larger gatherings.
“In order to give our business community and vendors prior notice so plans can be made, we are announcing the cancellation of Sand and Sawdust,” said Ocean Shores Mayor Crystal Dingler in a letter to Ocean Shores business owners and managers Thursday. “I believe that the Governor will allow larger gatherings but not in time for this large event.”
Dingler said in the letter that since the governor is expected to extend his stay at home order, Ocean Shores’ restrictions will also remain in place.
“I will extend our orders that ban nightly rentals; close beach approaches; close park play areas, cook shelters and picnic tables; waive fees and penalties on utility payments (business and households) and late B&O tax filings (through Oct. 1); and continue the moratorium on water shut-offs,” wrote Dingler.
In a previous letter dated April 21, Dingler discussed a meeting April 19 with the governor and the Department of Health in which a plan for reopening businesses was relayed.
“Their plan is aggressive,” she wrote. “They want to bring the recurrence of the virus in our state down to under 10 new cases a day before reopening for business. We are currently plateaued at about 200 new cases a day. But the numbers went up quickly and will hopefully go down as quickly.”
Dingler used Island County as an example of why the overnight rental ban and other closures are needed to slow the spread of the virus.
“Although the numbers in Grays Harbor County have remained small, 10 of the 12 positive test cases were just this month. By comparison, Island County, with a similar economy to our city and similar percentage of vacation homes, had 157 cases and several deaths,” she wrote. “Most of their hotels remained open and I understand many people moved into their second homes full time. Your sacrifices and those of the Quinault Nation have made the difference here in Ocean Shores.”
Dingler said she estimated the travel ban will last until at least mid-May or later and said she will offer additional information on local businesses regarding how and when to reopen when it’s available.
“To open would be an invitation, and until the virus transmission rate is reduced elsewhere, we cannot allow people to come and possibly pass on their disease to our community,” she wrote. “It is a matter of life and death.”
She asked for input from local businesses as to how they saw the process for reopening.
“Within the city itself, I have had to make similar tough choices to those you are facing,” she wrote. “I am in the process of laying off some of our city employees and reducing the hours of others. We have also sent many home who cannot work remotely. These are truly difficult times.”
