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COVID-19 Updates
Healthy Washington Plan for Recovery (effective 1/11/2021)
New State Reopening Plan – Last week Governor Inslee released a new reopening plan that goes into effect today. The new “Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery” plan has grouped Washington’s 39 counties into eight regional groups, largely based on health-care resources. Currently there are only two phases to this plan with future phases and details to be announced later. Our region, South Central, is comprised of Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, Columbia, Kittitas and Yakima counties. Read on...
Detailed guidance and information is available on the governor's website.
City Response to COVID-19
- Rent and Utilities Assistance
- Working Washington Small Business Grants
- CARES Act Community Grant Support Program
- Temporary Restaurant/Retail Outdoor Expansion
- City Offices Temporarily Closed
- Submit Safe Start Inquiries
- Report a Safe Start Violation
- Modified City Council Meetings: City Council will defer non-essential legislative items and condense essential legislative items into a modified schedule.
- Commission and Committee Meetings: All meetings will be deferred until the conclusion of the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order unless otherwise noted on the City calendar.
- Determining Occupancy Load when reopening your business.
Health & Safety Information
- Washington’s "Safe Start" Plan
- Washington State Adopting New CDC's Quarantine Guidelines
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Washington State Coronavirus Response
- Washington State Department of Health
- Benton-Franklin Health District
- 2-1-1 COVID Information Call Line
Kennewick is Open for Business
During this time of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, our regional partners are have collaborated to connect local businesses with our community. Check out businesses that have registered as open.
Helping Citizens
The Stay Home, Stay Healthy order requiring social distancing measures will help slow the spread of COVID-19, but they will create a hardship for some citizens.
To help residents, the City has suspended water shut-offs for non-payment of City utility bills. We are continuing to bill utility accounts on the regular two-month billing cycle and statements are due 15 days from the billing date. Late notices are being issued for accounts two weeks past due, which includes a $10 late fee when notices are processed. Payment options include our automated phone system, website, and drop box located in the east parking lot of City Hall.
By contacting the City prior to an account going past due, the late notice would not issue and $10 late fee would not be assessed.
Benton PUD has announced that it is suspending power utility shut-offs during this time as well. The Kennewick School District is assisting with nutrition needs.
Below is a list of additional resources:
- Washington State Department of Financial Institutions - guide for families who need financial assistance
- Washington State Employment Security Department – information regarding employment assistance
- Benton County Emergency Housing Program - funds available for eviction prevention for persons that have faced difficulty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.