County moves toward Phase 2 of re-opening

— by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter –

The San Juan County Council and Board of Health have both voted unanimously in support of requesting a variance and moving to Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start plan. The vote took the form of approval of a letter from Public Health Officer Dr. Frank James recommending that the County proceed in this manner.

With this step completed, County staff will now proceed to complete the variance application and provide the necessary documentation to the office of the State Secretary of Health for review. Mark Tompkins, the SJC Director of Health and Human Services, advised the Board of Health that the application is likely to be completed and forwarded to the State by early this weekend, and perhaps later today (Friday, May 22).

In discussing his letter, Dr. James noted that in his view the County’s ability to move towards Phase 2 is based on two of the Health Officer orders that he has issued. The first of these will require the use of facial coverings by customers and other visitors in all places of business during Phase 2. Dr. James noted that San Juan County is the only County in the State to have this requirement.

The second is the order limiting the use of transient accommodations. Dr. James said that this order, which is currently in effect until May 31, will stay in place until the beginning of Phase 3. He said that the beginning of Phase 3 is likely to be at least four weeks away, and perhaps longer, depending on circumstances that are unknowable at this time.

The Board of Health received 17 public comments during the meeting, both in person and in writing. In contrast with last week’s meeting, the majority of comments came from business owners and associations. Many of the comments expressed deep concern about the economic well-being of the islands and were strongly in favor of moving as quickly as possible to Phase 2 and Phase 3.

In response to a question from Deborah Hoskinson, representing the San Juan Islands Visitor’s Bureau, regarding how to define ‘local travel’, Dr. James said that while he would discourage islander’s from travelling to Anacortes and beyond, he is comfortable with inter-island travel during Phase 2.

Ten Washington counties have already received approval to move from Phase 1 to Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan. An additional 12 Counties are currently eligible to apply for the variance. Given the turn around time for the Counties that have already received a variance, it is likely that San Juan County will have an answer from the State sometime this coming week.