| Summary of Phase 3 Activity Guidelines With the announcement from Governor Inslee on Thursday allowing for increased participation and increased spectator capacity in Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington Plan, the WIAA has compiled updated information in the Healthy Washington Guidelines Document. A summary of major changes to K-12 activities guidelines are as follows: Spectator Guidelines Spectator restrictions for outdoor events will vary based on whether permanent seating is available and the amount of designated seats. Physical distancing requirements of six feet of separation between groups must be maintained in all seating arrangements which may limit the capacity number further than the guidelines listed. For facilities with permanent seating up to 1,600 spectators, schools may operate at 50% capacity or a maximum of 400 people, whichever is fewer. For facilities with permanent seating for more than 1,600 spectators, schools may operate at 25% capacity. For outdoor activities, the Phase 3 guidelines indicate that participants, officials, coaches, and staff do not count toward the capacity restrictions as they did in Phases 1 and 2. Indoor activities in Phase 3 may have up to 400 individuals at an event or at 50% capacity, whichever is fewer. For indoor activities, participants, coaches, officials, and staff do still count toward the capacity restrictions. For activities where permanent seating is not available, spectators are limited to one seated group (1-6 people) per 100 square ft. Each group will be in a reserved space, only available to the group or pod who purchased a specific location. The spectator guideline changes will go into effect on Thursday, March 18. This is before counties officially enter Phase 3 but will allow for more attendance in the final week(s) of Season 1 activities. High Risk Indoor Sports In phase 3 all sports will be allowed to take part in competitions; however, tournaments are still prohibited. Masks are still required for all participants, coaches, staff and spectators during practices and competitions. All counties will be moved to Phase 3 on Monday, March 22 allowing schools to offer all sports at that time. Change in Phasing Metrics Under the updated plan, counties will be individually evaluated every three weeks. The evaluations will occur on Mondays with any possible changes taking effect Friday, with the first evaluation scheduled for April 12. In addition to being individually evaluated, large and small counties will have different sets of criteria. If any county fails one or more of the metrics below, that county will move down one Phase in the Heathy Washington plan. If at any point the statewide ICU capacity reaches greater than 90%, all counties will move down one Phase. The Department of Health always maintains the ability to move a county forward or backward at their discretion. |
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