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COVID-19

Inslee outlines how retail, manufacturing can resume in small counties during Phase 2

Gov. Jay Inslee issued guidance Tuesday for retail and manufacturing operations in the eight small counties moving onto Phase 2 of Washington’s “Safe Start” plan.

Employees at both retail and manufacturing facilities will be required to wear facial coverings if they are not working alone, in addition to other disease prevention measures.

Stevens, Pend Oreille and Ferry counties have been approved to move on to Phase 2, along with Columbia, Garfield, Lincoln, Wahkiakum and Skamania counties.

Retailers must operate at 30% building capacity or less and offer contactless payment, pickup and delivery methods when possible. They are also required to have 6-foot markers for people waiting in line and in high-traffic areas.

The guidelines say retailers should install barriers or sneeze guards in fixed points where customers may interact with employees within 6 feet. They also advise retailers should establish specific hours for high-risk individuals to shop.

At stores with fitting rooms, items that have been tried on but not purchased will have to be removed from inventory for at least 24 hours.

Manufacturing facilities are required to maintain a 6-foot distance during all interactions or use other measures, like barriers, when a task does not allow for physical distancing.

Workers will be advised to use disposable gloves when using shared tools and items when possible. Machine interfaces will have to be sanitized between users and shared tools will have to be cleaned after each use.