FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Hospitality Association calls for state to reopen by June 15, asks public to sign petition
48 states know: With safe, effective, and free vaccines widely available, it’s time to plan to move forward
The Washington Hospitality Association is calling on Gov. Jay Inslee to release a plan for reopening the state by June 15, in line with 48 other states that have released reopening plans.
“Our industry has been the hardest hit by far over the last 14 months of the pandemic, yet we have not called for reopening until today. It’s time. While other states have a plan for moving forward, Washington’s plan only moves in one direction: backward,” said Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association.
Reopening June 15 would put Washington in line with California. Democratic governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have all announced they will reopen fully on May 19. And the President of the United States and the Governor of Oregon have announced reopening by July 1.
Washington’s plan relies primarily on business shutdowns to control the spread of COVID. These have not worked a single time, but have driven cases higher as people gather in unregulated environments that increase the spread of COVID.
In a press conference this week, Inslee said Washington will continue with phases for “the foreseeable future” and that the state is “way below” the vaccine rate that would support reopening.
The Washington Hospitality Association is urging the public to sign a petition to the governor to release a reopening plan so that we can reopen safely.
You can sign the petition at https://p2a.co/reopenwa
Watch Anton’s press conference on YouTube.
