OLYMPIA — Over the past week, a lot has happened to begin reopening the state after being shut down since March 25 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On Tuesday, April 22, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that state officials were looking at ways to begin reopening. He warned that the process could be slow and many restrictions may not be lifted by the May 4 date he set earlier.

“It will be more like turning a dial than flipping a switch,” Inslee said.

Inslee said he was looking at different ways of lifting the ban on elective medical procedures, outdoor recreation and private residential construction to resume, so long as proper safeguards and protections are in place. He said he wanted to ensure that loosening restrictions would not lead to an uptick in infections.

“We need to steel ourselves against this virus for some time,” the governor said. “It could come back in waves.”

During his speech, Inslee said the state’s laboratories, as well as the necessary medical supplies, are simply not in place to be able to conduct the 20,000 to 30,000 COVID-19 tests per day statewide the state needs in order to stay on top of the pandemic.

“We are drastically behind what we need on testing supplies,” he said. “Swabs, vials, reagents, we are doing all we can to acquire that.”

Inslee said that by the second week of May, the state will also have around 1,500 contact tracers working to track infections. Around 600 of those are in place, according to State Health Officer Kathy Lofy, while another 800 volunteers consisting of county health department workers and National Guard soldiers are being trained.

Also on April 22, state officials said that while a regional approach to reopening business is possible, it is unlikely given the concern about infection rates rising as people flock from closed urban counties to newly reopened rural ones.

On Thursday, April 23, the Grant County commissioners, sheriff and prosecutor sent a letter to Inslee asking him to reconsider his moratorium on the construction of single-family homes and to begin reopening small businesses within the state.

In the letter, the authors asked for an immediate answer to disparities between what was allowed in public versus private construction. Commissioner Tom Taylor asked this question of the Inslee’s Central Washington representative, Salvador Salazar, who was unable to provide an answer, according to the letter.

“Why is Key Arena, in Seattle, considered essential, but construction of single-family homes in Grant County is non-essential?” the letter asked. “Small businesses in Grant County are ready to reopen and are prepared to take the necessary precautions to help stop the spread of the virus ... We urge you to amend the Stay Home, Stay Healthy Proclamation.”

Sheriff Tom Jones said that he knew the governor issued the order for the right reasons but also thought it was time to start opening the county back up.

On Friday, April 24, the governor lifted the restrictions on some construction. Projects that were already started are being allowed to resume at least some activities on the site. Crews must be able to maintain social distancing on the site, which means working at least six feet apart most of the time, and must have the proper personal protection equipment, and job sites must have extensive and frequent cleaning. A safety plan is required, and employees must be monitored for COVID-19 symptoms. Companies must keep a log of job site visits.

Inslee said leaders in the building and construction industry worked to write the plan, a process that took about three weeks. That will be the blueprint for other industries, he said, but he didn’t say when other industries will be allowed to reopen.

Allowing hospitals to start some elective surgeries and other services is under consideration, Inslee said, and so is allowing more outdoor activity on state land.

In a press conference on Monday, April 27, Inslee announced that some outdoor recreational activities will be allowed starting Tuesday, May 5. Among the things being opened are day-use parks, hunting, fishing and golf.

“Outdoor recreation is one of the best things people can do to promote physical health and mental health,” Inslee said.

Inslee said that he expects Washingtonians to continue to do these activities using social distancing and to do them only with people who live in their household. The exception to that is golf, where Inslee said that it was OK to golf with one other person not in the household.

Inslee said that the decision was driven by data. If an increase in cases is seen due to the reopening, what has been opened may be reclosed again.

“This is not a return to normal today,” Inslee said.

Inslee specifically said that being at the park on a blanket with a group of friends was a violation of the order. He also said that when using hiking trails to step off the trail and allow six feet of separation when passing other hikers. Also anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms is not allowed to partake of outdoor recreation.

With the lightening of restrictions, Inslee is asking that residents keep outdoor activities within their local areas so as to not put a burden on other communities.

“Bring your own food and supplies,” Inslee said. “Avoid crowds. I am confident that Washingtonians who love the outdoors as much as I do will use common sense.”

Inslee again referred to turning the dial as a way to describe his approach to reopening the state. He said reopening outdoor recreation is one way he is being able to turn the dial. And he will continue to watch the dial to see what steps should be taken next. He also said that the more significant part of reopening the state will take place after May 4.

To find out what parks are open, visit the Washington State Parks website.

Charles Featherstone, Cheryl Schweitzer and Emry Dinman contributed to this report.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@suntribunenews.com.