Yesterday, September 23, the state lifted restrictions on convention center gatherings, business meetings and training sessions that previously were not permitted under previous COVID-19 restrictions.

The Puget Sound Business Journal reports that due to the work of the hospitality industry with the state to create new guidelines, the state is now re-open for larger gatherings.

Effective immediately, business events can be held at convention and conference centers as well as in designated meeting spaces at hotels at an indoor capacity of 30% or 200 guests, whichever is less. The numbers exclude venue staff.

There are some other logistical guidelines that event sites will need to follow including staged entry, pre-registration and face coverings.

Over the last few months, COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the hospitality business. This relaxing of the restrictions will allow the economic recovery to begin is a welcome move by state officials and will return some normalcy to business life.