Friday, March 27, 2020

Port of Olympia Implements new Changes Amid COVID-19

By Karen Robes Meeks

Heeding Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-at-home order, the Port of Olympia’s offices will be closed to the public until April 8 and regular port commission meetings and work sessions have been postponed until the order is lifted, the port announced this week.

Staff coverage will be limited in the port’s administrative offices, with most working remotely.

The commission will only convene if a commission decision is required. Meetings will be conducted via GoToMeeting (http://portolympia.com/89/Commission) to maintain social distance. Swantown Marina will continue to operate but business will be done by phone, email or through its website as the office are closed. Maintenance and Harbor Operations personnel are onsite and the marine fueling station will stay operational. Harbor Patrol operations have been suspended.

Swantown Boatworks’ office and work yard closed this week and will remain closed until the end of the stay-at-home order. The boat yard will only operate emergency haul-outs. Staff members will check daily for any voicemails and address customer needs.

Also, the Marine Terminal will be operational with limited access. All ship visits and community tours have been cancelled.