WA trade group urges June reopening, after months of pandemic restrictions

California has one. So does Oregon. They 're among the states that have an official reopening date after more than a year under pandemic restrictions.

Now an industry group representing Washington state's restaurants would like one, too. It’s calling on Gov. Jay Inslee to set the date for June 15.

Anthony Anton, president of the Washington Hospitality Association, says a mid-June full reopening can be done. He anticipates that people willing to get vaccinated will have been vaccinated by the end of May.

"Right now we only have a plan to roll backwards and what we really need is a plan to move forward,” said Anton, whose trade group represents about 6,000 restaurants and hotels in Washington.

”We really feel this is important so people can set graduation plans, and set wedding dates, and plan for life," he said. "Having a date moving forward I think is going to be a great rallying point and allows us as a community to focus together.”

In addition to calling on Governor Inslee, the association is taking its proposal to the public through a statewide petition.

Gov. Inslee has said the state has a long way to go before it can safely and completely reopen. So far only about 39% of Washington residents are fully vaccinated.