A stay-home, stay-safe briefing, in short takes

City still at work

Although the Gig Harbor Civic Center is closed to the public, essential city services will continue, said Mayor Kit Kuhn.

“The city’s critical infrastructure will continue to operate without interruption,” the city Public Works Deparment said in a website posting. “We continue to operate and maintain our roadways in our usual manner. The city’s drinking water continues to be safe and reliable. The city’s wastewater system continues to pump and treat sewer. While we are taking precautions to maintain the health of our staff, we are fully staffed and operating as usual.”

Gig Harbor Police Department administrative offices are closed to the public for in-person business, however officers continue to respond to inquiries and calls for service. Officers may be handling some calls by telephone when the situation is routine in nature, said Police Chief Kelly Busey.

Inspections and code enforcement will continue.

“We are building the ship as we sail it.,” Kuhn said in a web posting. “Our community is working together to get through this. We all must stay positive and try to be helpful to others and be strong through this time.

Use rear doors on buses

Customers will be asked to board Pierce Transit buses using the rear doors only, transit officials said Monday,

Customers requiring mobility assistance can continue to use the front doors if needed.

“This step will help ensure Pierce Transit bus operators remain safe and healthy and able to practice social distancing as advised by our public health professionals.” the transit system said in a news release.

Since drivers cannot collect fares at the rear doors, Pierce Transit is suspending fare collection on buses, as well as on Shuttle paratransit vehicles, until further notice.

Seats immediately behind the operator and seats throughout the bus have been marked off to encourage social distancing. The transit system said it has also increased cleaning and disinfecting of buses. Besides the usual daily cleanings, buses are also disinfected throughout the day when they arrive at transit centers, with a focus on “high touch” areas such as handrails and grab bars

State campgrounds closed

All Washington State Parks campgrounds and other state-administered campgrounds are closed through May 4. That includes campgrounds on Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Natural Resources land.

The closure includes roofed accommodations like cabins and yurts.

No new campers have been allowed into Parks, WDFW, or DNR lands since March 23. Current campers will be phased out following instructions from land officials.

Due to the volume of people visiting Washington’s ocean beaches, state officials are asking the public to avoid those areas. People should continue to practice social distancing and good hygiene when recreating outdoors.

Campers who have state parks reservations will be notified and offered a full refund. Visitors can find the latest information about State Park operations at parks.state.wa.us/COVID19.

Going fishing? Don’t.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has temporarily close recreational fishing and shellfishing statewide in the wake of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s order directing residents to stay home to limit the spread of coronavirus/COVID-19.

The closures have been extended until May 4. WDFW will re-evaluate on April 6 whether the closure may need to be extended.

“This is not a decision we take lightly, but it’s the right thing to do for the health and well-being of Washington’s families,” said WDFW Director Kelly Susewind.

Fishery managers have reported that some anglers have been seen crowding banks as concerns over coronavirus have continued.

Yard waste drop-off halted

The Pierce County refuse transfer station at Purdy, along with other country transfer stations, has temporarily stopped accepting yard waste. Transfer stations will remain open for other waste, and there will be no changes to curbside garbage, recycling or yard waste collection.

Tips for composting yard waste at home are at piercecountywa.gov/compost/bins.

Curbside beer, wine sales allowed

The State Liquor and Cannibis Board is allowing restaurants that hold spirits, beer and wine licenses to sell closed, manufacturer-sealed, bottles or cans of beer, wine and spirits to go or by delivery — provided they are accompanied by food. Liquor sales without food purchases are not included or allowed under this temporary allowance, which is in effect for the duration of the Governor’s proclamation temporarily banning on-premises dining.

For curbside service, all beer must be in growlers, kegs or factory-sealed bottles or cans. Wine and spirits must be in factory-sealed bottles.

Prestige Health Care is hiring

Prestige Health Care, which operates Olympic Alzheimers Residence in Gig Harbor and 70 other senior residences in eight Western states, is hiring part-time health care aides.

Essential duties will include helping residents and patients with non-direct care requests, such as delivering food, housekeeping and laundry services, and following environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and be able to pass a COVID-19 screening. Experience is helpful, but not necessary, said Jason Delmarter, the company’s chief operating officer.

“We know that COVID-19 is costing a lot of hard-working people their jobs, and we want to stand by our neighbors during this time,” Demarter said. “If you are service-minded and want to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of others, please reach out — we’re here for you.”

Full position and application details can be found at www.prestigecare.com/careers.

This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 12:00 AM.