EVERETT — Phasing into Phase 2?
The city of Everett and the Snohomish Health District have posted a short guide aimed at helping businesses move into the second stage of Gov. Jay Inslee’s gradual reopening plan.
The free online booklet, “Getting to Safe Toolkit,” offers resources and advice to help employers safely open their doors and welcome customers.
Snohomish County entered Phase 2 of the governor’s Safe Start plan this month.
Phase two allows restaurants to operate at 50% capacity and retailers to conduct in-store sales, with some health requirements. Barber shops, hair and nail salons, tattoo parlors and pet groomers can reopen, too.
The city is encouraging establishments to follow all safety procedures and recommendations outlined in the governor’s SafeStart initiative, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said.
“While planning for economic recovery, we need to remember it is not business as usual,” Franklin said of the continuing COVID-19 crisis.
The 20-page guide is an operations manual for the “new normal” and aligns with public health guidelines, city officials say.
It offers recommendations on cleaning protocols, social distancing in the workplace and keeping high-risk employees safe.
The city’s toolkit is based on national and local recommendations for safe reopening from Challenge Seattle, the Boston Consulting Group, the Office of the Governor and the Washington State Department of Health, along with recommendations from the economic development department at the City of Everett and the Snohomish Health District.
“The amount of information available is overwhelming,” said Economic Development Director Dan Eernissee.
“This toolkit is concise and practical so that small-business owners can efficiently prepare to reopen and work quickly to recover from the pandemic,” Eernissee said.
For more information, go to everettforeverett.com/safeopening.
Janice Podsada; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3097; Twitter: JanicePods
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