King County enters Phase 2 of Safe Start recovery plan
King County’s application to enter Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start recovery plan was approved by the state Department of Health today, allowing many businesses following the state guidelines to operate at double the capacity of the modified Phase 1.

King County and Molina Healthcare of Washington reach groundbreaking three-year behavioral health care agreement
King County and Molina Healthcare of Washington (Molina) have signed a three-year contract to support and improve behavioral health care practices in the region. This agreement endorses King County’s one-of-a-kind model for coordinating publicly funded integrated health and behavioral health care, and opens the door for a new project specifically to assist Molina members and clients during the COVID-19 emergency.

Via to Transit pilot returns to southeast Seattle and Tukwila
Via to Transit, the on-demand shuttle service connecting riders to transit hubs, will resume service to Rainier Beach, Othello, and Tukwila International Boulevard light rail stations starting June 22, 2020. Via to Transit was paused on March 23, 2020 in response to COVID-19.

Executive Constantine: Now is the time to move forward with police accountability
King County Executive Dow Constantine today issued a revised Executive Order on inquests of officer-involved deaths and called on suburban cities to drop legal opposition so that inquests may proceed. Inquests have been on hold in King County for two years, frustrating families and making it harder for witnesses to recall details.

King County applies for Phase 2 of Safe Start recovery plan
Following two weeks of progress in modified Phase 1, King County has submitted an application to the state Department of Health to move to Phase 2 of the Safe Start coronavirus recovery plan, which would allow more re-opening of businesses to increase operating capacity.

Executive Constantine submits budget to fund COVID-19 response, including purchasing 25 million face coverings for residents
King County Executive Dow Constantine submitted a $70.4 million emergency supplemental budget to the King County Council that includes purchasing 25 million face coverings to help reopen businesses across the county, and investments to increase food security for county residents.

King County to immediately allow limited openings of businesses, maintain public health vigilance
With new state health officials’ approval today, restaurants and retailers will be allowed to serve customers in their establishments, in addition to other modified openings for a wide range of businesses and activities. Public Health – Seattle & King County will monitor transmission trends, medical capacity and other key indicators to help inform further reopening decisions.

King County submits plan to re-open limited business activity in COVID-19 recovery
King County submitted a plan to the state Department of Health to allow for limited openings of businesses in a modified Phase 1 of the Safe Start plan, including allowing some indoor seating at restaurants.