Inslee Indicates No New Changes to Phased Reopening Plan

Governor Jay Inslee provided comment on the state's phased reopening plan Thursday, saying that extraordinary times still require extraordinary measures.

Inslee said he does not plan on changing the amount of time between county evaluations.

"We thought three weeks was the best mix between responding to current conditions and giving people predictability. Those two things are always in contrast, right?" Inslee explained, "People would like to know what's happening for the next six months, it makes their lives easier, but then you're not responding to current conditions."

The governor also clarified that although counties can remain in Phase 3 by only failing one of the two state metrics, a county must pass both metrics to move from Phase 2 back to Phase 3. The state has been following COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations in its current approach to a phased reopening.

Inslee will announce the results of the current three-week period May 3rd.