With Gov. Jay Inslee announcing on Wednesday that Phase 1 COVID-19 restrictions will remain in place for at least another three weeks, many businesses throughout the Tri-Cities are fighting to stay open.
With indoor dining banned under the current guidelines, restaurants have been putting up tents and canopies to establish outdoor dining areas.
Those temporary structures must still meet local fire and building codes, and Cpt. Brian Ellis with the Kennewick Fire Department encourages business owners to consult with local agencies before setting up an outdoor space that may not comply with fire safety regulations.