KITTITAS – The Kittitas County Health Order: Stay at Home will be updated to allow vacation rental properties to be rented effective Monday, June 1, 2020. The health order will be consistent with the Governor’s orders to allow for vacation rentals. Rental businesses will need to have safety plans to prevent COVID-19 exposures in their rentals.

Many in Kittitas County have voiced concern about the best direction for Kittitas County with vacation rentals, specifically with regard to the area of the upper county.  Commissioner Laura Osiadacz received an overwhelming number of responses from her constituents that this is the best direction for upper county residents.

“With safety plans in place, it appears that we can safely move forward with this change,” states Health Officer Dr. Mark Larson.  “This is not permission for individuals from outside our county to travel here, or for our residents to participate in nonessential travel. However, rental properties can be safely managed to allow for Phase 2 activities for Kittitas County residents.”

All rental businesses must have a safety plan in place.  For businesses that do not have one, please visit the county incident page and complete an available worksheet.  Sample plans are available and you can request technical assistance.  “We will continue to see our local businesses open in the safest possible way,” states Dr. Larson.

If you have questions about your health, please contact your healthcare provider or you can call the Temporary COVID Clinic at KVH at 509-933-8850.  If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the Emergency Department at KVH.  If you have general questions about COVID-19, please call the EOC at 509-933-8315 or 509-933-8305.

Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us