Lincoln County approved for Phase 2

Lincoln County is one of five counties that the state Department of Health approved Friday to move on to Phase 2 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s plan to reopen the state economy, Health Administrator Ed Dzedzy confirmed to The Times.

“We got approved,” Dzedzy said. “Phase 2, for everything except businesses, begins now. Businesses can open as soon as the governor announces his guidelines.”

Once guidelines have been released, businesses such as barbershops and nail salons can reopen. Restaurants will be able to reopen at 50% capacity. Dzedzy expects this could happen as early as Monday or Tuesday.

Dzedzy said businesses are more than ready to start up.

“We get calls from them routinely,” Dzedzy said.

Phase 2 also allows gatherings of up to five people.

Dzedzy says that while moving to Phase 2 is welcomed news for many, several safe practices should still be in use.

“It is still critical for our people, our residents of Lincoln County, to abide by the basic principles we started with,” Dzedzy said. “Like washing your hands, wearing a face mask, social distancing, covering your cough and staying home if you’re sick.”