We are moving in the right direction, and can continue taking additional steps toward recovery, said King County Executive Dow Constantine. Our public health experts believe that now is the appropriate time to lift vaccine verification, based on high rates of vaccine coverage and the decrease in new cases and hospitalizations across the county. Updated: 10:18 PM PST March 3, 2022. It will apply to: The order gives the option for a longer preparation period for smaller restaurants and bars with a seating capacity of 12 or less, with an implementation date of December 6. Vaccination verification is just one part of a multi-faceted COVID-19 prevention strategy. With continued high levels of preventable COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and increased deaths driven by the Delta variant, serious stress on our regional healthcare system, and concern for a significant outbreak resurgence this fall and winter, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan and community, health care, small business, and arts and culture partners joined in support of requiring verification of full vaccination or a negative test to enter certain indoor and outdoor activities and establishments. The Delta virus is much more contagious, airborne, causes severe illness, and is seriously stressing our hospitals and healthcare providers," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health Seattle & King County. At this stage in the pandemic, we have higher levels of immunity from vaccination and from many people having had COVID-19 infections. We don't want to keep going backwards so if we have to take it to this level, then that's what we need to do, Heigh said. Isolation and quarantine requests Children . Everyone age 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. "Vaccination is our best shield against this deadly virus. From the beginning of this pandemic, our aim has been to protect the health of our community and save lives. King County will begin requiring customers of restaurants, bars, gyms and other indoor entertainment spaces to show proof of vaccination from COVID-19, or a negative test taken within 72 hours. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan hopes that the new order will make public spaces safer for everyone while slowing the spread of infections. That means face masks are coming off for all who want to do so in most places starting June 29. As a critical care nurse here in Seattle, I can tell you that our health care system has reached its breaking point. COVID-19 vaccine verification requirements for most businesses in King County have been in effect since October of 2021. Two lawmakers in Washington state want the state and local governments to bring back employees who were fired because they didn't comply with COVID-19 pandemic vaccine mandates. Too many people, adults and children, are ending up in hospitals across the state and here in our county, threatening to overwhelm the system. While the significant benefits of vaccination have not changed, the acute threat to our community and healthcare system has decreased. Customers can use their vaccine cards or a photo of a vaccine card, documentation from a medical record or vaccine provider, or a printed certificate from MyIRMobile.com to enter establishments already requiring vaccine proof. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for anyone 6 months and older. To protect customers and workers, preserve hospital capacity and help prevent business closures, King County will require verification of full vaccination status or a negative test to enter outdoor public events of 500 or more people and indoor entertainment and recreational establishments and events such as live music, performing arts, gyms, restaurants, and bars. Since the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, King Countys policy has been to follow the science, listen to the experts, and protect life and health. Executive Dow. COVID-19 vaccine is free and no insurance required. COVID-19 in Washington Q13 FOX Seattle, King County announce indoor vaccine requirement to fight COVID-19 spread Seattle and King County Thursday announced an indoor vaccine requirement. The countys order includes exceptions for take-out orders, outdoor dining, and grocery stores. The intent of the policy was to give additional COVID-19 protection to employees and patrons in high-risk indoor settings while providing more time for people to get fully vaccinated. In alignment with updated Public Health Seattle and King County guidance, Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Bruce Harrell announced today that King County and the City of Seattle will no longer require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment effective today. 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TTY: Relay: 711 . For the latest business and worker guidance related to reopening, visit the Washington Ready page or the governor's website. High levels of preventable COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and increased deaths driven by the highly contagious delta variant prompted the order. This is our moment to celebrate the tremendous work the county, businesses, and customers did to make public health a priority saving lives and keeping our economy moving. Vaccine verification was a win-win: our businesses got to keep their staff on payroll and keep their doors open, while prioritizing safety. The intent was to reduce COVID-19 transmission in high-risk indoor settings and thereby reduce the burden on our hospitals, while providing time for more people to get fully vaccinated. Neve is the Chef at Cafe Lago. For worksites with 50 or more employees, outbreaks with 10 or more confirmed cases must be reported to the state Department of Labor and Industries. Hospitals are really stretched right now across Washington State. We also have tools to further reduce the spread of illness through improving indoor air quality (e.g., through ventilation and filtration) and, in some settings, with the use of high-quality, well-fitting masks.. Public Health Seattle & King County COVID-19 resources Current guidance Vaccination verification Vaccination verification Beginning March 1, 2022, the vaccine verification requirement will no longer be in effect in King County. Employers should follow Washington State Labor & Industries (L&I) requirements for COVID-19 in the workplace: Although Washington States public health emergency proclamations for COVID-19 ended October 31, 2022, COVID19 is still a recognized workplace hazard that employers must address. Public Health, King County, and City of Seattle will be working with partners to provide technical support and educational materials to businesses and organizations implementing the order. That work is why we have one of the highest vaccination rates and the lowest cases, hospitalizations, and deaths of any major American city. He says the businesses started requiring vaccine proof in August. Our aim in King County is to efficiently and equitably vaccinate as many eligible King County residents as possible in order to suppress the spread of COVID-19 and minimize the impact of the pandemic on our community. Starting February 6, the King County Executive terminated Executive Order ACO-8-28-EO pertaining to the vaccination mandate for contractors. Updated: 10:20 PM PDT September 13, 2021. Individuals under 12 years of age, who are not eligible to be vaccinated, are not required to be tested for entry. Here are the latest mask and vaccine-verification policies in King County and Washington state. Please note that while many industry sectors such as restaurants, bars, gyms, retails stores and other businesses have returned to normal capacity and operations, individual businesses may choose to maintain restrictions as they deem appropriate for the health and safety of their workers and customers. We must act now and act boldly to change the trajectory of the virus and keep our communities safe. Public and constituent inquiries | 360.902.4111 Local governments still have the authority to continue or reimplement mask mandates, and private businesses can still require employees and customers to wear masks, according to Inslees office. It was three years ago this week that the first case of Covid-19 in the nation was detected and reported in King County. The latest setting on King County's dial is a vaccine mandate to enter restaurants, bars, and non-essential businesses. For general questions about COVID-19 in Washington State call the Washington State COVID-19 Information Hotline at 1-800-525-0127. Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, said in a statement Thursday that the announcement creates different standards for different types of eating places and no additional standards for most businesses. Several forms of vaccination proof will be permitted under the order, including: The order defines full vaccination as two weeks after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two weeks after one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two weeks after completing another approved vaccine. The third shot is part of their initial vaccine series, not a booster. King County Executive Chinook Building Last week, several local sports teams and venues, including the Seattle Kraken, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders FC, Seattle Storm, Seattle Thunderbirds, University of Washington Huskies, and all events at Climate Pledge Arena adopted vaccination verification policies. King County businesses and community members have been instrumental in encouraging nation-leading vaccination verification rates, and Im grateful for the extra effort to keep our community safe over these last several months. Therefore, it makes sense that vaccination is highly recommended but no longer required for King County and Seattle staff and contractors outside of health care settings. But to me, I think starting the vaccine cards, I think that's a little bit above, over, over the fence there. Smaller restaurants and bars with a seating capacity of 12 or fewer do not need to implement the new order until December 6 of this year. Our public health experts believe that now is the appropriate time to lift vaccine verification, based on high rates of vaccine coverage and the decrease in new cases and hospitalizations across the county. Seek appropriate reimbursement from the recipients plan or program (example: private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid) for a vaccine administration fee. How to tackle that choice, How to navigate the COVID pandemic in the Seattle area: resources on masks, tests, vaccines and more, At-home COVID tests and omicron: What you need to know, Mapping the pandemics spread across Washington. By June 2020, Gov. The order is. Without these clear guidelines, we would put the livelihoods of artists and arts-workers at continued risk. For children aged 6 months4 years who completed the Moderna primary series and if it has been at least 2 months since their last dose. Almost 90% of King County residents between 18 and 64 years of age have completed the primary vaccination series, although most have not yet received an updated bivalent booster and therefore are at increased risk for preventable serious infections compared to those who have received it.