Whitman County, home of WSU Pullman, has been granted approval to begin reopening some businesses including restaurants and taverns.
Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman approved the county’s application to move forward into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan on Friday.
Restaurants and taverns can resume in-house dining at 50% capacity under Phase 2 and hair and nail salons are allowed to open. In-store purchases will also be allowed at retail stores with some restrictions.
Operations on the WSU Pullman campus are considered an essential service and will not be affected by the move. Businesses approved to move into Phase 2 must comply with state guidelines developed for each industry that are intended to keep workers and the public safe, according to the health secretary’s announcement.
People in high-risk populations are strongly encouraged to limit their participation in Phase 2 activities and business services. High-risk populations include persons 65 of age and older, people of all ages with underlying medical conditions, and people who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
