OLYMPIA (AP) – Gov. Jay Inslee says the state is broadening its testing strategy and now encouraging people with mild symptoms to get tested for the coronavirus.
Previously, those with mild symptoms were encouraged to stay home, but Inslee said Thursday that testing supplies have increased to the point where testing can be expanded.
Inslee said that increased testing was important as counties start to restart their economies under the state’s four-stage reopening plan.
In Phase 2, restaurants and taverns can reopen at half capacity with limited table sizes, hair and nail salons and barber shops can resume business, and retail stores can reopen for in-store purchases at 30% capacity.
Phase 3 expands group gatherings to 50 or less, including sports activities, and allows restaurants to increase capacity to 75%.
