State will enter Phase 3 March 22, professional sports to welcome fans

The entire state will advance March 22 to Phase 3 of the state’s “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday, as he provided the initial, long-awaited details for the new phase.

At a virtual press conference rife with hopeful news, Inslee also announced the state will move to the next tier of vaccine eligibility earlier than scheduled.

On March 17, people in Phase 1B-2 will become eligible. That includes workers in settings such as grocery stores, law enforcement and agriculture, as well as people over age 16 who are pregnant or who have a disability that puts them at high risk.