COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for Businesses and Workers

For the latest COVID-19 information and resources visit coronavirus.wa.gov.

On November 15, Governor Inslee announced a four-week statewide set of restrictions in response to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. The new restrictions are outlined here.

Memo regarding July 24 changes to reopening guidance (updated October 9) Indoor Activities or Family Entertainment available here. 

Guidance Impacted by November 15 Statewide Restrictions

An overview of the restrictions is available here. For all businesses and activities not addressed here, previous phase guidance still applies. 

• Fitness
• Indoor Activities (Museums, Movie Theaters, Bowling)
• In-Store Retail
• Miscellaneous Venues
• Outdoor Recreation
• Personal Services
• Professional Services
• Real Estate
• Religious and Faith Based Organizations (updated 12/2/2020
• Restaurants and Taverns
• Sporting Activities

All Phase Guidance impacted by the November 15 Statewide Restrictions Flagged with a .

Essential Business Guidance

Many parts of the economy are already allowed to operate safely as essential businesses. For a list of essential businesses click here.

• Agriculture – issued May 28 (updated August 19)
• Additional Agricultural Guidance – issued June 2 (updated August 28)
• Automotive, Energy, Food and Agriculture, Healthcare/Public Health, In-Home Care, Maintenance, Recreation, Real Estate, and Retail Guidance – issued March 31
• Commercial Airports – issued September 24
• Construction Guidance – issued March 25
• Commercial driver license guidelines – issued May 7
• Elective Surgeries Guidance – issued April 29 
• Funeral Guidance – issued March 28
• Home Care Workers Guidance – issued June 22 (memo)
• Long-Term Care Facility Guidance – issued August 8
  • Adult family homes, assisted living facilities and enhanced services facilities
  • Certified community residential services and support
  • Nursing homes and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Outdoor Guidance – issued April 27
• Real Estate and Mortgage Guidance – issued March 27
• List of approved essential workforce education programs – issued May 7 (updated May 19) 
• Higher Education – issued May 7 (updated June 1) and Campus Reopening Guide – issued June 24

Phase 1 Business Activity Guidelines

• Additional Guidance on Voluntary Contact Information – issued May 15
• Car Washes Requirements – issued May 7​ (memo)
• Construction – issued April 24
• Additional Construction Guidance – issued April 29
• Curbside Retail – issued May 8 (memo)
• Higher Education – issued June 1 and Campus Reopening Guide – issued June 24
• Landscape Services and Outdoor Maintenance Industry – issued May 8 (memo)
• Outdoor Recreation – issued May 14 (updated August 20)
• Outdoor Recreation- Golf – issued May 15
• Pet Walking Industry – issued May 8 (memo)
• Religious and Faith Organizations – issued May 27 (updated October 21)
• Vehicle and Vessel Sales Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions – issued May 6
• Washington Talking Book and Braille Library – issued June 2 (memo)
• Weddings, Funeral and Memorial Services – issued June 18 (updated July 28)

Modified Phase 1 Activity Guidelines

• Modified Phase 1 Guidance Summary – issued August 26 (updated September 21)
• Fitness – issued May 19 (memo) (updated August 26)
  • Frequently Asked Questions – issued August 7 (updated September 1)
• Recreational Activities – issued June 9 (updated October 6 [memo])
  • Water Recreation Facility FAQs – issued September 9

Phase 2 Business Activity Guidelines

• Additional Guidance on Voluntary Contact Information – issued May 15
• Agricultural Events – issued August 10 (memo)
• Agritourism – issued August 20 (memo) (updated August 28)
• Bowling – issued August 20
• Card Rooms – issued June 12 (memo) (updated July 24)
• Construction – issued May 15 (memo) (updated July 2)
• Dine-in restaurants and taverns – issued May 11 (updated October 6)
• Drive-in Theaters – issued June 2 (memo)
• Domestic Services – issued June 9 (memo)
• Fitness – issued May 19 (memo) (updated August 26)
  • Frequently Asked Questions – issued August 7 (updated September 1)
  • Water Recreation Facility FAQs – issued September 9
• Higher Education – issued June 1 and Campus Reopening Guide – issued June 24
• In-store retail – issued May 12 (memo)
• Library Services – issued October 6
• Manufacturing operations – issued May 12 (memo)
• Miscellaneous venues – issued September 22 (memo) (updated October 6)
• Motion Picture Industry – issued July 8
• Movie Theaters – issued October 6 (memo)
• Museums – issued August 20
• Outdoor Recreation – issued May 14 (updated August 20)
• Outdoor Recreation- Golf – issued May 15 (updated June 9 [memo])
• Outdoor Recreation - Biking, running, cross country skiing, non-motorized boating, etc. – issued October 6
• Overnight Group Summer Camps – issued July 31 (memo)
• Personal Services (including Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, Barbers, Estheticians, Master Estheticians, Manicurists, Nail Salon Workers, Electrologists, Permanent Makeup Artists, Tattoo Artists, Cosmetology Schools and Esthetics Schools) - issued May 13 (memo) (updated September 18)
• Pet Grooming – issued May 18 (memo)
• Professional Photography – issued May 15 (memo)
• Professional Services  – issued May 13 (memo) (updated July 15)
• Real Estate – issued May 19 (memo) (updated October 6)
• Religious and Faith Organizations – issued May 27 (updated October 21)
• Sporting Activities – issued June 5 (updated October 6 [memo])
  • Sporting Activities FAQ – issued October 13
• Weddings, Funeral and Memorial Services – issued June 18 (updated October 6)

Phase 3 Business Activity Guidelines

• Template for Phase 3 Businesses – issued June 5
• Agritourism – issued August 20 (memo) (updated August 28)
• Bowling – issued August 20
• Dine-in restaurants and taverns – issued May 11 (updated October 6)
• Fitness – issued August 3 (memo) (updated August 26)
  • Frequently Asked Questions – issued August 7 (updated September 1)
  • Water Recreation Facility FAQs – issued September 9
• Library Services – issued October 6
• Miscellaneous venues – issued September 22 (memo) (updated October 6)
• Movie Theaters – issued October 6 (memo)
• ​Museums – issued August 20
• Outdoor Recreation - Biking, running, cross country skiing, non-motorized boating, etc. – issued October 6
• Overnight Group Summer Camps – issued July 31 (memo)
• Personal Services (including Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, Barbers, Estheticians, Master Estheticians, Manicurists, Nail Salon Workers, Electrologists, Permanent Makeup Artists, Tattoo Artists, Cosmetology Schools and Esthetics Schools) - issued May 13 (memo) (updated September 18)
• Real Estate – issued May 19 (memo) (updated October 6)
• ​Religious and Faith Organizations – issued May 27 (updated October 21)
• Sporting Activities – issued June 5 (updated October 6 [memo])
  • Sporting Activities FAQ – issued October 13
• Weddings, Funeral and Memorial Services – issued June 18 (updated October 6)