Safe Start — Washington’s Phased Reopening

Washington State Department of HealthFollow

May 30 · 3 min read

On May 31, the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation will end, and the state will move into a phased reopening plan called Safe Start.

Counties will be able to move between phases as the data demonstrates that it is safe. These decisions will be based on the number of new people diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last two weeks, how many people needed to be hospitalized for COVID-19, and how quickly the virus is spreading. We will also look at how much testing is happening in the county, the ability of the county to immediately contact people as they are diagnosed with COVID-19, and the readiness of the health care system.

My county is in Phase 1.

All Phase 1 counties can apply to move to a modified Phase 1, which would include these activities:

  • Outdoor recreation and fitness classes with five or fewer people outside the household.

  • Gatherings of five or fewer people outside the household.

  • Outdoor dining at restaurants at 50% of existing outdoor seating capacity.

  • Limited capacity pet grooming, real estate, and other professional and personal services.

  • Additional construction, manufacturing, and photography as outlined in Phase 2 guidance.

  • In-store retail at 15% of building capacity.

My county’s already in Phase 2.

Counties that have been in Phase 2 for at least three weeks can apply to move to Phase 3. The earliest a county could move is June 3. Phase 3 allows gatherings of fewer than 50 people, non-essential travel, and opening of libraries, museums, and more. Find the details on the governor’s website.

Once my county gets to a new phase, can it move backwards?

Yes, if the virus is spreading rapidly within a county, for all our safety, a county may need to return to an earlier phase until the virus is more under control.

Returning to public life.

As we return to public life, here are some things to remember to keep you and your family safe:

  • When you are around people who are not from your household, you are safer outdoors than indoors.

  • The longer you are around people not from your household, the higher your risk.

  • The more people you are around who are not from your household, the higher your risk.

  • Stay six feet away from other people all the time.

  • Cover your face when you are in public, especially indoors.

  • Wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer. Get those hands clean before they try to wander towards your face.

  • Don’t touch your face or mess with your mask while you are wearing it.

  • Shirt. Shoes. Keys. Phone. Wallet. Mask. Hand sanitizer. Don’t worry, you’ll get in the groove of public life again eventually.

Practice compassion

People have different levels of willingness to take risks. Be kind with your friends and family who find that they would prefer to stay home and stay healthy a bit longer.

More information

Stay tuned to our blog for more information on how you can help stop the spread of COVID-19. Sign up to be notified whenever we post new articles.

Information in this blog changes rapidly. Check the state’s COVID-19 website for up-to-date and reliable info at coronavirus.wa.gov.

Answers to your questions or concerns about COVID-19 in Washington state may be found at our website. You can also contact our call center at
1–800–525–0127. Hours: 6 am-10 pm, seven days a week.

Department of Health call center: 1–800–525–0127, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m, seven days a week

Please check our website for the most up-to-date info on Washington’s response to COVID-19 at www.doh.wa.gov/coronavirus.

CHA Washington