Retailers across the state currently face different safety requirements as part of Governor Inslee’s four-phase Safe Start plan to reopen stores after COVID-19 virus outbreak closures.

Requirements vary depending upon a store’s location and whether state health officials have permitted the surrounding county to advance to Phase 1.5 (King County) or Phase 2 or 3 so far. Each phase allows varying degrees of sales from curbside only to limited in-store sales and ultimately, normal operations in Phase 4.

King County’s current sales guidelines for in-store sales:

• All non-essential retail activities may operate but an establishment’s occupancy may not be higher than 15% of capacity (not including employees)
• Businesses are directed to show signage encouraging indoor visits of no more than 30 minutes, with face-to-face interactions limited to 30 minutes and
• Essential retail activities may continue to operate according to existing state regulations.

As for personal services in King County such as barbers, manicurists, tattoo shops and cosmetology schools, all activities may operate but the number of clients served will be limited to no more than 25% of capacity or one person if it is a single bed/chair studio. Read more about King County here.

For the reopening status of each county in the state, click on the Department of Health website.