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State allows limited opening of museums, bowling alleys, agritourism locations

EMRY DINMAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 2 months AGO
by EMRY DINMAN
Staff Writer | August 20, 2020 10:45 PM

OLYMPIA — Counties in Phase 2 and Phase 3 of Washington’s four-step reopening plan will be able to open doors to museums, bowling leagues and agritourism, Gov. Jay Inslee announced in a Thursday statement.

Grant County and Adams County are in Phase 2.

Museums in Phase 2 counties will be able to welcome patrons back in their doors up to 25 percent of their building’s capacity, so long as they observe social distancing and hygiene requirements and all patrons over the age of two wear masks, according to the new guidelines. Events at museums still won’t be allowed.

Bowling can also start up under the new guidance, but only for league play and practice for league play and with no more than two bowlers per lane. Bowlers will need to observe all other requirements for social distancing and hygiene, and are not allowed to share equipment or switch lanes or teams. Arcades and other amusement areas will still be closed, and restaurants or pro shops will be required to adhere to food service or retail guidelines for the reopening phase their county is currently in. Masks will still be required.

Agritourism activities, such as U-pick farms and tree farms, will be able to operate in Phase 2 counties as well, though with social distancing, masking and sanitization of shared equipment, according to the guidance.

“We have worked with stakeholders for weeks and sometimes months to arrive at these guidelines,” Inslee said in the statement. “We continue to balance the need for activities that contribute to physical, mental, and emotional well-being with the steps needed to control the virus.”

“Our ability to reopen depends on every Washingtonian doing their part to ensure fewer, shorter and safer interactions,” he continued.

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