Gov. Jay Inslee sent a memo to local government officials explaining the state's Safe Start Reopening Guide. The memo comes after the release of the guide for state agencies. The governor encouraged local governments to use the guidance as a resource as they work to develop their own Safe Start plans for reopening.
The memo reads, in part:
"As we work to implement a consistent statewide approach to reopening the economy, we will continue to use data and science to inform our decisions and will update the Safe Start guide as necessary.
"All local government entities have a general obligation to provide employees a safe and healthy work site in accordance with state and federal law and safety and health rules, including addressing hazards associated with COVID-19.
"We all have shared responsibility as we take these steps, for our behavior, its impact on others, and the systems we create and services we provide. Public service employees make a difference in people’s lives every day. Most of our essential services never stopped when COVID-19 hit because we stayed committed to the needs of the people we serve."
Read the full memo here.