Gov. Inslee puts all Safe Start applications on pause, businesses must require face coverings starting July 7

Gov. Jay Inslee announced late last week that all applications made by counties to reopen would be put on hold due to rising levels of COVID-19 infections in the state. Counties that applied under the Safe Start plan will stay in their current phase until at least Thursday, July 16. Kitsap County, including Bremerton, is currently in Phase 2. 

Additionally, Gov. Jay Inslee and Sec. of Health John Wiesman stated that businesses will be required to make sure that clients, customers and employees wear facial coverings beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7. Under the proclamation, businesses may not serve any customer, services or goods, if they do not comply with the state-wide face covering order.

The move comes in response to an increase in the number of cases in counties across the state, and after a new mandate went into effect requiring customers and clients to wear facial coverings in businesses in Yakima County. To learn more, Bremertonians can read the entire announcement here.

More Information:
Kitsap County residents and businesses can follow the Phase 2 guidance outlined by the governor until the county is approved to move to Phase 3. 

For questions on facial coverings, including where and how to use them, visit Washington State’s Coronavirus page.

For additional updates, visit www.BremertonWA.gov.