Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eateries in counties cleared to reopen are required to keep tabs on customers
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The owners of a local tavern plan to be open from 2 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday despite the coronavirus quarantine.
Village Tavern co-owner Jean Moore hopes other bars and restaurants will join her in opening in defiance of Gov. Jay Inslee's order shutting so-called "non-essential" businesses.
The seating is spaced out, she said, noting she's planning to open those same 12 hours daily.
The tavern is at 13119 W. Sunset Highway.
Gov. Inslee's staff has not approved of any in-restaurant dining in the city or surrounding Spokane County.
But in neighboring Lincoln County, restauranteurs are busy planning reopening, albeit at 50% capacity.
That's because the state Department of Health and Gov. Inslee has given Lincoln and seven other counties the green light to open in the coming days.
To open, restaurants and taverns have a list of criteria to comply with, including limiting seating to less than half capacity and prohibiting more than five people from being seated together. Those five must reside in the same household.
Buffets, salad bars and bar-style seating are also prohibited under the governor's quarantine reopening plan.
Restaurants and taverns that do decide to offer table service will also have to keep tabs on their customers.
Under the reopening guidelines, eateries are required to keep a daily log of customers that includes telephone, email and other contact information. The log must show the time and day customers were dining in.
State officials will use the information to track patrons should a diner be diagnosed with the virus.
“No restaurant or tavern may operate indoor or sit-down services until they can meet and maintain all requirements, including providing materials, schedules and equipment required to comply,” the reopening plan released Monday said.
Counties cleared for "Phase 2" reopening include Lincoln, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Columbia, Garfield, Skamania and Wahkiakum.
Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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