New state COVID-19 business reopening plan tied to cutting regional case rates. Here's how

So long, Safe Start — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday unveiled a new plan for reopening the economy from COVID-19 restrictions.

“2020 is officially behind us, we know that brighter days are ahead,” Inslee said at a virtual press conference, “and we’re here to talk about a new way to move our state forward economically while we’re beating the pandemic.”

Under the new “Healthy Washington—Roadmap to Recovery” plan, counties are grouped into eight regions of at least four counties each, based on health system resources. All regions are currently considered to be in Phase 1 of the two-phase plan, which goes into effect Jan. 11.