Local businesses glad to be moving into Phase 3

All counties are eligible for Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Healthy Washington reopening plan March 22.

Locally, the Bainbridge Athletic Club is still waiting to hear what specific guidelines apply to that facility, but operations manager Maddie Froyd is excited.

“It sounds like increased capacity, which will help increase the amount of people we have in the facility and hopefully increase foot traffic and business inside the building with our programs,” she said.

Froyd said BAC will be able to offer more to its members and the community, such as the youth summer guide and more kids swimming in the pool. The last time BAC had 50% indoor capacity was a year ago.

“I think it’s been a team effort on everyone’s part; an opportunity for growth for sure, really listening to what the community needs and has to say and how we can provide a safe place for everyone,” she said, reflecting on the past year. “We’re hearing from members every day about getting their vaccines.”

On the restaurant and bar side, co-owner of Proper Fish, Sharelle Fitzpatrick, said the increased capacity at 50% will allow them to have a few more tables inside the restaurant’s rather small space.

“It’s going to allow us to have more people inside the restaurant, especially on the weekends,” she said. “We’re starting to ramp up now because we’re coming into spring.”

Fitzpatrick said the last year has been a “rollercoaster” for staff as Proper Fish opened back up in August under new ownership due to the previous owner falling ill. The restaurant is now employee-owned by Fitzpatrick and a chef.

Although it seems like going from 25% to 50% indoor capacity would be a big increase, many local restaurants have small indoor spaces making the increase minimal, such as at Doc’s Marina Grill.

“Our indoor capacity is pretty limited because of our space and the distancing of the tables so it actually doesn’t change much for us,” manager Noel Dubuque said. “We can allow like ten more people in the building. We’re mostly outdoor anyway.”

Inslee made the Phase 3 announcement March 11 following a downward trend in COVID-19 case rates and hospitalizations across the state over the past month. “The reason we are able to make this progress is because we have been safe, we have been diligent, and we have cared about our loved ones and ourselves,” Inslee said.

The reopening of outdoor sporting events, increased vaccine eligibility and economic improvements were the highlights of Inslee’s news conference.

Outdoor venues are able to open at 25% capacity, which includes major league sports like the Mariners and Sounders as well rodeos, motorsports and other outdoor events. High school and youth sports are opening up to 25% capacity starting March 18. However, Inslee said that all of these events are conditional on continued social distancing and mask protocols amongst attendees.

Indoor spaces can increase to 50% capacity. This includes restaurants, gyms and other indoor venues. The cutoff time for alcohol service is also being moved from 11 p.m. to midnight. Inslee is also making an adjustment to his January reopening plan. Depending on population, counties will have benchmarks they must meet that will decide whether they progress, move back or stay in their current phase.

Inslee also urged everyone to get vaccinated when it is their turn. “If you were eligible for a vaccine, you are still eligible,” Inslee said. “Please come get a vaccine.” The announcement was then made that anyone in tier two of phase 1B in the Vaccinate WA plan was immediately eligible for a vaccine.

Included in that tier are high-risk critical workers who work in certain congregate settings, agriculture, food processing, grocery store workers, and remaining first responders. Individuals 16 and older who are pregnant or have a disability that puts them at high risk for a severe COVID illness are also eligible. More details can be found at governor.wa.gov.

WNPA News Service contributed to this article.