More than a year of restrictions on businesses and activities across Washington state have largely come to an end as the state held its official “reopening” on June 30.
Since March 2020, the entire state has had some level of restrictions on operations, but on June 30, Gov. Jay Inslee made his “Washington Ready” proclamation which provided the greatest return to normal since the first curtailments were made.
Under Washington Ready, the vast majority of restrictions on capacity and operations across the state have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with some exceptions for large indoor events of more than 10,000 in attendance. The state recommends vaccine verification or negative testing for large indoor and outdoor events, but it is not required.
Physical distancing is no longer required, and facial coverings aren’t required for vaccinated individuals, though businesses may require them on their own. Some exceptions to the eased restrictions include settings like schools and child care centers, according to an announcement from the governor’s office.
Washington Ready also updated guidance for businesses on requirements for their workers. In many cases, vaccinated workers are not required to wear a mask, excluding those in health care, public transportation, K-12 schools and child care, correctional facilities and homeless shelters, according to information from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
Washington was one of the first states in the county to begin its response to COVID-19, Washington State Secretary of Health Umair Shah said in the announcement, adding the state’s response was “one of the most effective responses in the nation.”
Shah noted the reopening did not mean the pandemic was over, saying vaccination, testing, and wearing masks for the unvaccinated “will be needed more than ever as businesses try to resume normal operations.”
Battle Ground is already feeling the ease of restrictions. On the day of the Washington Ready proclamation, the city announced its government offices would be opening on July 6.
The offices will begin on a modified schedule up to a full reopening on Aug. 16. Starting July 6, the offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday until July 19, when they will switch to a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Aug. 2, the offices will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday except Thursday until the full schedule goes into effect on Aug. 16.
Those who are vaccinated won’t need a mask in city offices, a news release from the city stated. City facilities closed to the public on March 17, 2020 in response to the pandemic response.
“I’m proud of how our staff adapted to maintain the city’s high standard of customer service.” Battle Ground City Manager Erin Erdman said in the release, “Our doors may have been closed, but our commitment to customers always remained our priority; we look forward to opening our offices again.”
Local businesses hard-hit by the pandemic are starting to feel the change.
Matthew Seise, owner of Playmakers in Battle Ground, said one perk of full reopening is the ability to have events and to host happy hour again.
In his around 17 years in the restaurant industry, Seise said the restrictions were the most difficult time he experienced running a business.
“Rules were changing throughout the entire process. From day to day we didn’t know what they were going to do,” Seise said. “I think I worked more during COVID than I did when it wasn’t COVID times, just trying to keep my business afloat.”
He said Playmakers was fortunate to be able to adapt its business model to the changing restrictions and requirements through the pandemic. The restaurant opened up a patio space to allow guests during the restrictions, which will continue even with the widespread reopening.
“We’ve learned a lot through this process of COVID. It made us more aware of opportunities,” Seise said.
The ability to operate without restrictions is already having an effect on the restaurant, Seise said.
“There’s a little bit more of an at-ease feeling with our guests and with the staff,” Seise said. “People are starting to feel like life is getting back to normal.”
Northwood Public House owner Eric Starr said being able to put back the barstools is like placing a missing piece back into the business.
“It’s kind of like we got to put a piece of our soul back in place,” Starr said.
He said the Wednesday lunch rush on June 30 saw the bar filled for the first time in over a year.
Starr said the hit to the business began when the official restrictions were put in place as people braced for the oncoming pandemic.
“It was frightening at first, because we didn’t know what to expect and nobody thought it was going to go as long as it did,” Starr said.
The Paycheck Protection Plan helped, once requirements on its use were straightened out. The business’ landlord was able to provide relief to keep the business afloat, he said.
Starr said the second time Northwood was able to reopen in February, business came back stronger than it did the prior June. Although the customer base was solid, he said having enough staff to cover the business became the challenge, leading to the decision to close on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Though Northwood took a significant financial hit in the first part of the pandemic, Starr said he knew the place would be able to roll with the punches.
“We always felt that we were going to survive this,” Starr said.
He said streamlining the menu and the increased sanitation aspects of pandemic-era business will remain, though he said there might be a few more additions to what they serve now. He added Northwood will also bring back live music on Saturdays.
Starr said he is cautiously optimistic the reopening means a return to something normal.
“On the staff side, everybody’s ecstatic, because it just feels like we’re back to our old self,” Starr said. “Northwood is back and we’re happy to be back.”
