COVID-19

Resources

• Homebound and looking for help? Wanting to help deliver groceries? The City of Poulsbo’s volunteer coordination HELP lineopens PDF file is now in service.  360-517-5037. This number is a way for homebound people in Poulsbo to request non-emergency, non-medical help from individuals and organizations (deliveries, meals, errands). Please spread the word about this number, particularly to anyone in Poulsbo who you think may be vulnerable and isolated. Interested in volunteering? We’d welcome your help! Please use this number to let us know how you might assist.
• Hot, to-go lunches are available for anyone experiencing economic hardship at Gateway Fellowship (18901 8th Ave NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The lunches can be picked up at the back of the church.
• Fishline opens in a new window – Market and Client Service Changes Effective July 28, 2020 opens in a new window
• Puget Sound Energy
  • PSE will not be disconnecting customers for non-payment during this time.
  • PSE will work with our customers on options such as payment plans and choosing a new bill due date.
• Central Market – Alerts opens in a new window
  • Store hours have temporarily changed to 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Starting March 23, they will be reserving 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for senior and at-risk customers.
  • Staff will bag all groceries in unused plastic bags only. No reusable bags.
  • Wait lists have also been implemented for busy hours so help facilitate social distancing.
  • Online ordering has been implemented.
• Costco
  • Special Operating Hours for Members 60 and over – Monday-Friday Costco warehouses will open from 9 to 10 a.m. for members ages 60 and older, and for those with physical impairments (no guests).
  • Effective May 4, face masks are required by all employees and customers.
• Safeway
  • Safeway has set special hours to allow seniors and people who have serious chronic medical conditions to do their shopping. The store has reserved 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During this time, people are asked to avoid shopping at the store so that seniors, those who are pregnant or have compromised immune systems can shop. 
• “Kroger limiting the number of shoppers in stores to encourage social distancing” opens in a new window – King5News 04/07/2020
• Report price gouging – report price gouging in three easy steps: “See It, Snap It, Send It.” If you see price gouging, snap a photo or take a screenshot, and then include the image with the complaint at the Attorney General’s website opens in a new window.

Community Updates

North Kitsap School District  – School District to begin 2020-2021 school year in full distance learning. opens in a new window

Kitsap Regional Library – The Poulsbo Library was already closed for a refresh project, but all other libraries have curbside pick up available opens in a new window.

Washington State Ferries – Learn more about changes on the Washington State Ferries. opens in a new window

Kitsap Transit – Fare collection resumes August 1. Click here opens in a new window to learn more about service reductions and other changes due to COVID-19.

Washington Department of Health operates a coronavirus hotline, with multiple language assistance, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 1-800-525-0127.

• For interpretative services, press # when they answer and say your language. For questions about your own health, COVID-19 testing, or testing results, please contact your health care provider.
• Nuestra línea directa tiene acceso a servicios de interpretación telefónica en su idioma. Llame al 1-800-525-0127 y pulse #, cuando respondan, diga su idioma.
• Spanish: Nuevo coronavirus opens in a new window, BienestarWA opens in a new window, Chinese 中文 opens in a new window, Russian: Pусский opens in a new window, Vietnamese: Vi-rút Corona Mới opens in a new window, Korean: 한국어 opens in a new window,  more translations… opens in a new window

Kitsap Public Health updates positive COVID-19 cases daily at 2:00 p.m. Click here for the latest COVID-19 test results and health information from Kitsap Public Health.

Updated symptoms of COVID-19 – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its official list of COVID-19 symptoms.  opens in a new windowThis is in addition to the previous official symptoms: fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. The newly-added symptoms are:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Health Information

• Kitsap Public Health District
• Public Health – Seattle & King County
• Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19)

Business Resources

• Summer Fair – The City of Poulsbo is allowing for businesses to expand their storefronts outdoors into certain right-of-ways and parking space. Click hereopens PDF file for more information on the permit.
• Kitsap Economic Development Alliance – Questions about your business? Click here opens in a new window to join KEDA’s Weekly Webinars, and access their COVID-19 page for the latest updates,information, reliable local, regional, state & national resources for businesses.
• Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Plan –  Business guidance, county status, and what’s allowed to be open opens in a new window.
• BLS is waiving late penalties through August 2020 – The Business Licensing Service opens in a new window (BLS) is still waiving late filing penalties under the extension of the governor’s Proclamation 20-20 opens in a new windowopens PDF file through August 31, 2020. The extension started July 30 and ends September 1. BLS will not automatically terminate expired license endorsements and is suspending the automated process of closing delinquent license endorsements through this month.

Unemployment Resources

Unemployment Claim Scams
There are reports of new cases of identity theft related to the recent unemployment benefits going out to people due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’ve been informed of a fraudulent unemployment claim in your name, you should do the following:

• File a police report through the Poulsbo Police Department’s online incident reporting system: www.kitsap911.org/report.htm
• File a report with the Employment Security Department
• File a report with the FBI
• File a report with the Federal Trade Commission

The best way to stay up to date on information about, updates to, and instructions on how to access Unemployment Insurance related to the COVID-19 outbreak is by subscribing to ESD’s COVID-19 action alerts opens in a new window.

You can also help your application process by doing these four things:

1. Start with the website first opens in a new window before calling. The website is being updating the information regularly on their website and making it much easier to understand.
2. Apply online if you can and read the information on the website before you apply. It will help applicants from getting stuck.
3. Sign up for ESD’s COVID-19 action alerts opens in a new window for the most up-to-date information and changes.
4. Apply for a job with ESD! Here’s a flyer opens in a new windowopens PDF file  with more information. They have amazing telework opportunities available on their customer service teams and, as you can tell from the volume, they need the help. These jobs can be done from anywhere in the state!

Key resources

• COVID-19 Page and FAQ opens in a new window – ESD has accumulated the top questions from businesses and claimants. This is an evolving treasure trove of answers and it is being updated daily. Please email  esdconstituentservices@esd.wa.gov opens in a new windowcreate new email if you have a question not yet listed.
• Checklist for Applying for Unemployment Insurance – To help smooth your application process, please use the UI Checklist opens in a new windowopens PDF file  first.
• SharedWork – This is a powerful tool for your businesses to reduce their staff’s hours without having to lay them off. They can reduce the staff hours 10-50% and have Unemployment Insurance provide partial wage replacement for those reduced hours. New emergency rules are being announced for the program to include overtime exempt employees. These rules also allow new businesses as well as those who have outstanding debt to participate. Additionally, with the new Federal legislation, 100% of SharedWork costs will be covered by the Federal Government, therefore not affecting businesses’ experience rates. More information about SharedWork, including an online application, can be found here opens in a new window.

Recent changes to Unemployment Insurance – Reflecting ESD’s goal to make UI available for as many people as possible, the department, in consultation with the Governor, has made the following changes to their traditional program:

• Allowed more workers to access standby status for longer periods – standby allows an employer to temporarily lay off some or all of their workforce. They’ve expanded it to include part-time or less than full-time workers and extended it from 4 to 12 weeks.
• Made job search requirements optional – while many employers are hiring, they recognize this situation makes it difficult for some to conduct a thorough job search.
• Lowered the tax impact to businesses who utilize their programs.
• Waived the traditional waiting week – getting more money into people’s pockets faster.
• Relaxed penalties and fees for employers and workers who miss key deadlines due to the COVID crisis.

Phone and claims center volumes – As you can imagine, this many workers accessing the Unemployment Insurance system is creating congestion in the claims centers. Much of the process is automated through their computer system. This allows many people to access benefits without ever having to speak with staff. However, there are a number of issues that may arise which require a claimant to call the claims center and speak with an agent. The best thing people can do is read through their checklists and materials, found at esd.wa.gov/unemployment opens in a new window, and be as prepared as possible before applying online. Mistakes in an application are a major driver for requiring individuals to call in.

City Response

The City activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on March 16 to manage and prioritize resource requests across the community, and to coordinate additional communication and outreach. The City is focused on three main goals: Continuance of City services, support public health guidance, and support the community.

Other City Response

• Emergency Proclamation No. 02-2020 as related to the Novel Coronavirus known as COVID-19opens PDF file – Issued March 18, 2020
• Resolution No. 2020-07, Regarding Emergency Proclamation Nos. 01-2020 and 02-2020 related to the Novel Coronavirusopens PDF file
• Emergency Administrative Order 2020-1 for the Poulsbo Municipal Courtopens PDF file
• Emergency Administrative Order 2020-2 for the Poulsbo Municipal Courtopens PDF file
• Proclamation of a Local Emergency No. 01-2020, Novel Coronavirusopens PDF file – On Friday, March 13, 2020, the City issued a proclamation of emergency, which will allow the City to use all resources necessary to prepare for and respond to outbreak, to adjust City policies and operations if needed, and to access state or federal funds and other resources related to emergency response.

Governor Orders For Gov. Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 press conference coverage, please visit TVW’s website. For a comprehensive list of all proclamations, click here opens in a new window.

• July 28: Gov. Inslee extended a pause on counties advancing through the state’s Safe Start plan for COVID-19 recovery. Kitsap County remains in Phase 2 opens in a new window.
• June 26: Every person in Washington State must wear a facial covering that covers their nose and mouth when in any indoor or outdoor public setting.  Order 20-03opens PDF file   was issued in response to reports of cases increasing throughout the state.
• June 2: Gov. Inslee announced Proclamation 20-19.2opens PDF file Evictions and Related Housing Practices
• May 29: Gov. Jay Inslee announced the “Safe Start – Stay Healthy” county-by-county phased reopening. Learn more about this announcement by clicking here opens in a new window.
• May 29: Gov. Inslee amended and extended Proclamations 20-05, 20-28-28.1, 28.2, and 28.3 – Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act 20-28.4opens PDF file
• May 1: Gov. Jay Inslee announced May 1 an extension of the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order through May 31 and the implementation of a four-phase approach to reopening businesses and modifying physical distancing measures that begins May 5. Learn more about the Governor’s announcement and phased approach to lifting restrictions here.
• April 27: Gov. Jay Inslee announced today an easing of outdoor recreation restrictions opens in a new window starting Tuesday, May 5.
• April 24: Construction Start Plan – Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that certain low-risk construction projects can restart as long as they comply with the COVID-19 Safety Plan.
• April 16: Proclamation 20-19.1 – COVID-19 Moratorium on Evictions Extensionopens PDF file remains in effect until June 4.
• April 6: Gov. Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal announced April 6 the extension of school closuresopens PDF file for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. The order keeps both public and private schools closed in accordance with the governor’s original order on March 13.opens PDF file
• Extended Governor’s Orders – Gov. Jay Inslee has extended the ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthyopens PDF file ’ order until May 4. He is requesting all Washington residents stay home to reduce physical interaction to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community. To learn what is considered an essential service, read the statewide order here. The governor’s office has provided guidance for businesses that want to request inclusion and individuals who want to report suspected violations of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order.
• April 2: Gov. Jay Inslee extended the ’Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order to May 4. Read the update here.
• March 31: The governor provided additional guidance on essential services, such as nannies (deemed essential if they are in the home taking care of children of essential workers), automotive repair facilities and limited automotive sales and leasing activities, and renewable energies. The bulletin also includes guidance on several recreational activities not deemed essential, such as recreational fishing and golf. Read the bulletin here.
• March 30: Gov. Jay Inslee provided enforcement guidance on ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order. Read here.
• March 25: Gov. Jay Inslee announced new measures March 25 to combat COVID-19 and released additional guidance for construction in his ’Stay Home, Stay Healthyopens PDF file ’ order. Get the details here.
• March 23: Gov. Jay Inslee issued a ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order requesting all Washington residents to stay at home to reduce physical interactions as much as possible to stop the spread of COVID-19. The order is effective immediately and any non-essential businesses still operating must close in 48 hours. The order will remain in place for at least two weeks. Read the statewide order here.
• March 18: the Governor announced relief for businesses, workers, renters, and more in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more here.
• March 16: Gov. Jay Inslee announced a statewide emergency proclamation to temporarily shut down restaurants, bars and entertainment and recreational facilities to expand protections against COVID-19. Read here.
• Gov. Jay Inslee signed several executive orders to expand statewide closures of schools, limit large gatherings and expand protocols for adult family homes. Read here.
• For state resources related to COVID-19, visit the governor’s coronavirus page.

Stay Informed:

• Health District COVID-19 updates by text or email: https://kitsappublichealth.org/CommunityHealth/CoronaVirus.php opens in a new window
• Kitsap County alerts: Sign up to get COVID-19 updates from Kitsap County by email or text.
• City of Poulsbo Facebook Updates – Like our Page opens in a new window
• Updates from Governor Inslee: https://www.governor.wa.gov/ opens in a new window