Process starting to move into Phase 3

DAYTON-Columbia County Commissioners (BOCC) met with Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman to start the preliminary steps to advance the area to Phase 3. Lanman is composing a letter to Governor Inslee for the commissioners to sign that she will send ahead of the application request to alert his office of Columbia County’s plans to move ahead.

She anticipates the application will be available Friday, giving her the weekend to work through it and have it approved by the State Health Officer, the State Board of Health and the BOCC next Monday. She intends to submit it mid-week next week for approval by the week’s end or early the following week.

Lanman stated that most county businesses are already open, but Phase 3 allows for greater public capacity. Offices including government offices can fully open. Other places such as museums, the library and the theater can open and other recreational facilities allowing for 50% capacity. Banks have remained closed but that appears to be due individual corporate decisions.

A community meeting has been suggested to address public concerns and discuss Phase 3 regulations. The date is to be determined.