COVID-19
Inslee announces statewide reopening date of June 30
Gov. Jay Inslee announced May 13 that the state is moving toward a statewide June 30 reopening date.
The full reopening could happen earlier than June 30 if 70% or more of Washingtonians over the age of 16 initiate vaccination. Washington has administered over six million doses of vaccine, and 56 percent of Washingtonians have initiated vaccination.
Inslee also announced that Washington will fully adopt masking guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control. He stressed that this guidance is for fully vaccinated people — meaning people who are two weeks removed from their second shot of Pfizer or Moderna, or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The guidance does not apply to health care settings like hospitals, long-term care, or doctor’s offices; correctional facilities, homeless shelters, or schools. And the federal order requiring masks on public transportation remains in place (this includes Washington State Ferries facilities).
Read the rest of the story on the governor's Medium page.
Police station now open by appointment
The Bainbridge Island Police Department has opened its lobby for select services by appointment only. People seeking fingerprinting services, new concealed weapon permits, or to dispose of old prescription medications can schedule appointments by calling 206-842-5211 or by email at police@bainbridgewa.gov. Appointments will be limited to one individual or household at a time. Masks are required during the appointment.
The Community Police Academy and ride-along program remain on hold due to space limitations and social distancing requirements. Those programs will return once we are able to do so safely.
City Hall remains closed to the public. When the doors reopen to the public at City Hall, you should expect the following changes:
- Plexiglass barriers at front counters
- Directional signage for movement of staff and visitors
- Six feet floor markings and stanchions to guide visitors
- New, lower occupancy limits for conference rooms
See the "City Operations" tab below for more information on the status of services for each department.
COVID-19 test site at Town Square now closed
The City's COVID-19 drive-thru test site at Town Square closed March 31.
The planned closure of the testing site allows emergency management staff and volunteers to focus entirely on supporting vaccine distribution on Bainbridge Island.
The City, in partnership with the University of Washington Medicine, Bainbridge Prepares and Rotary Club, started the drive-thru test site Nov. 4 to support public health goals and the reopening of schools and businesses in our community. The five-month operation administered a total of 2,415 tests and identified 21 positive cases. On average, the test site gave 63 tests per day. Travel was the top reason provided for why people sought tests; the second main reason was showing symptoms or having close contact with someone who tested positive.
The City will be able to offer testing on an as-needed basis if an outbreak occurs and City support is needed.
A list of Kitsap County COVID-19 test providers can be found here.