COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Update: (as of August 5, 2020)
As the Port of Everett nears a historic and unprecedented five-month period operating at modified service levels in response to COVID-19, efforts remain focused on continuity of essential maritime services at the Port’s international seaport and public marina, supporting business retention and economic recovery at the waterfront, and promoting a healthy community by supporting current public health guidance, responsible recreation and virtual business interactions. Here are the Port's current operational adjustments consistent with reopening plans.

Seaport: Full operation of the international seaport
Port Offices: Port Administration and Marina Offices remain closed to the public, staff available by phone and e-mail
Boat Launch: Restoring full access to all 13 lanes of the public boat launch; dawn to dusk
Fuel Dock: Remains on modified hours, open Tues. - Sun.; 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Card payments only
Haul Out: Continuing daily haul out operations 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. with virtual scheduling

Restrooms: All public restrooms are open for use 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily (with 24/7 fob access for slipholders)
Trails & Open Space: All Port trails and open spaces to remain open for responsible public use; dawn - dusk

Events & Gatherings: Continued suspension of waterfront events and gatherings, unless exempted under the states 'Safe Start' phased reopening'Safe Start' phased reopening
Port Offices: The Port Administration and Marina Offices remain closed to the public, but Port staff remain available to serve you remotely via phone and e-mail
Projects: Permissible public and private construction moving forward

Since transitioning to modified business operations and closing Port Offices to the public on March 17, the Port has:

Regularly convened its internal cross-functional team (established in February 2020) to support ongoing COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, with a focus on continuity of business, federal advocacy, stakeholder communications, tracking state and local orders and implementing associated public health guidance
Updated and activated the Port’s Pandemic Response Plan, and instituted a Telecommute Policy and an OSHA-compliant, COVID-19 Safe Work Plan incorporating extensive social distancing and staggered work schedules for on-site essential staff
Continued to modify and adapt its budget to mitigate the impacts from the aerospace industry decline
Coordinated the modification, suspension or cancellation of waterfront events as appropriate under current state and local public health guidance
Instituted a Port-wide hiring freeze and temporarily eliminated the summer seasonal program at the Marina
Implemented a new rent relief policy and launched a new economic development grant opportunity to support commercial tenants (see below), and
Authorized expanded outdoor patio space to support dine-in capacity for the reopening of waterfront restaurants

While much progress has been made in the collective community fight against the virus to date, a recent resurgence of case counts in Washington State, including within Snohomish County, has resulted in a pause to the initial momentum of the State’s “Safe Start” phased reopening plan. With no anticipated end in sight, in late-July, the Port of Everett, in partnership with other regional public sector employers including King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties, the cities of Everett, Kenmore, Redmond, Seattle, Shoreline, and Tacoma, and the Port of Seattle, took a united approach to slow the spread of COVID-19 and maximize physical distancing by extending teleworking for eligible employees until 2021.

“As a critical function of our local, regional and national economy, the Port of Everett is committed to keeping freight moving and supporting its waterfront businesses, while prioritizing the health and safety of our workforce, their families and the greater community,” Port of Everett CEO Lisa Lefeber said. “By extending our telecommute policy and continuing to implement extensive social distancing measures to support our essential on-site service functions and staffing, we can continue to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

For the foreseeable future, the Port’s virtual Administration and Marina Offices will remain available for community support via phone and e-mail. In addition, to further limit contact between staff and the community, the Port Commission has authorized the continued use of video conferencing to maintain virtual Port Commission meetings through the end of the year.

For additional information, contact Catherine Soper, Public Affairs Manager, at 425-388-0680 or by
e-mail at catherines@portofeverett.com.

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