We are now in a different phase of the pandemic compared to where we were in 2021 and 2022 and it makes sense to remove any requirements for vaccination, said Dr. Faisal Khan, Director of Public Health Seattle & King County. WOODINVILLE, Wash. - Some King County business owners say within the short time frame of the county's proof of vaccine mandate, the impact has been severe. King County reports losing about 2% of its workforce and the city of Seattle lost about 1% of workers who refused the vaccine. Washington State Department of Health guidance. King Countys masking requirement for large outdoor events ended Feb. 18. The steady decline in positive cases is much needed positive news. Masks are also still required on school buses a federal requirement, according to Inslees office. Jay Inslee announced a face mask mandate across the state. Jay Inslee announced on Monday that all Washington state employees as well as heath and long-term care providers are required to be fully vaccinated. Compare vaccine types: Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines (WA Dept. of Health, PDF), COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses Reference Guide for All Ages, Infographic about boosters if you are immuno-compromised, King County's Strategy for Vaccine Delivery, Principles for Equitable Vaccine Delivery, Data dashboard: Summary of COVID vaccination among King County residents. Everyone should continue to take steps to reduce COVID-19 risk, including getting vaccinated and boosted when eligible, using high quality, well-fitting face masks, improving indoor air quality through ventilation and filtration, and limiting time in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor spaces. It's been a challenging time. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. Only children under 12 are exempted from the mandate. STG is proud to support this policy to keep the arts safe for our community. A photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable. A lot of people just want to go out, go on with their lives. The policy was supported by healthcare organizations, business groups, and arts and culture organizations. The mandate will also apply to outdoor events with more than 500 people in attendance. 2023 ABS-CBN Corporation. The lifting of the vaccination mandate for contractors is part of the, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, Rescinding Vaccination Mandate for Contractors, Executives action to rescind the countys COVID-19 Proclamation of Emergency that was issued on March 1, 2020. This order keeps the arts on the path to recovery, while mitigating the most serious health and safety risks for our patrons and their families, Public Health Media Team, PHPIO@kingcounty.gov, Kristin Elia, Executive Office, 206-477-8209, Main phone: 206-263-9600 Masks are now credited, by public health officials, with limiting the spread of Covid-19. Everyone age 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. 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. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. The order is. Establishments will be responsible for checking vaccination proof or negative test status. Today our experts advise that immunity has reached a level that allows these requirements to be relaxed, said Executive Constantine. Businesses are free to impose their own vaccine requirements, but there is no countywide requirement. Throughout the pandemic, King County and the City of Seattle have used the most up-to-date recommendations and expertise from Public Health officials to inform policy decisions to adapt to the conditions and threats from the virus. Seattle Times staff reporters Elise Takahama and Joseph OSullivan contributed to this report. A city official said lifting the mandate is expected to have. Updated: 10:20 PM PDT September 13, 2021. Starting February 6, the King County Executive terminated Executive Order ACO-8-28-EO pertaining to the vaccination mandate for contractors. Dr. Jeff Duchin with Public Health - Seattle & King County confirms a man in his 50s died of coronavirus. . In accordance with Federal civil rights law, Public Health Seattle & King County does not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of an individuals protected class, including but not limited to race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, and marital status. Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537, Main phone: 206-263-9600 But to me, I think starting the vaccine cards, I think that's a little bit above, over, over the fence there. Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe," said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. 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., "The steady decline in positive cases is much needed positive news. A negative Covid-19 test from within 72 hours will also be accepted. Rooted in our shared values of safety and health equity, we will continue to follow this approach as we respond to next steps in the pandemic and continue to advance efforts to ensure a thriving and equitable recovery for all Seattle residents and neighbors.. Small restaurants, defined as those with seating capacity for fewer than 12 people, will phase into the mandate on December 6. 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. . No matter what lies ahead, the more vaccinated we are as a community, the safer we will be from this dangerous virus. Businesses should continue to support employees in getting vaccinated and staying home when sick., We are thrilled to hear that recent public health data has encouraged King County leaders to move our community and our businesses into the next phase of the pandemic and prepare for the sunset of vaccine verification, said Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce. For general questions about COVID-19 in Washington State call the Washington State COVID-19 Information Hotline at 1-800-525-0127. The performing arts industry has been devastated by this pandemic. The third shot is part of their initial vaccine series, not a booster. King County also dropped its vaccine-verification requirement for large outdoor events, like concerts and sporting events, as well as restaurants, bars, theaters and gyms on March 1.. FAX: 206-296-0194, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County, Dr. Faisal Khan, Director, Public Health Seattle & King County, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, rescinded the countys COVID emergency proclamation today, King County, State of Washington, and City of Seattle announce vaccination requirement for most employees, private health care and long-term care workers | August 2021. He was recently promoted from Establishing a vaccine mandate for employees and contractors was critical to keeping employees and the public safe, and keeping services flowing. Chinook Building There is no cost to you for the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of immigration or health insurance status. A negative Covid-19 test from within 72 hours will also be accepted. Public health highly recommends following the current vaccination guidance which includes a bivalent booster dose for the best protection. says. CDC recommends the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines over J&J for both initial and booster vaccinations. In addition, the large number of people who were infected during the Omicron surge will also likely result in some additional community immunity, at least for the short term. Employees who refuse to get vaccinated would face losing their jobs, Gov. King County 's vaccine requirement has been in effect since October 2021. For Chris Lacayan, another Filipino business owner, he thinks the mandate is too much. Everyone age 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. It's the right thing to do for our workers, our customers, our economy, and the health and vitality of our city. 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. Time is running out on free COVID tests and vaccines; what then? More people are now vaccinated and protected against severe COVID-19. As a critical care nurse here in Seattle, I can tell you that our health care system has reached its breaking point. It is the mission of public servants and those providing health care to serve our fellow Washingtonians. With restrictions about COVID-19 rapidly changing, please check with individual departments to be sure a building is open before you seek in-person service. We applaud King County for requiring vaccinations and encourage other counties to do the same. For City of Seattle employees, this means that departments will begin to bring more than 5,000 employees who have been remote back to the office based on business needs and work plans. King County's decision to verify vaccination for entry in outdoor events, recreational events or establishments and restaurants, is an important and needed step in the current fight against the pandemic. Restaurants and bars (including indoor dining) this does not apply to outdoor dining, take-out customers, and places that aren't primarily used as a restaurant, such as grocery stores. For everyone aged 5 years and older if it has been at least 2 months since your last dose. It will be reviewed no later than six months after the October 25th implementation date to assess its continued need based on future outbreak conditions. Jay Inslee today announced a requirement for most state workers, and on-site contractors and volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. ", We announced the vaccination verification policy in anticipation of a fall and winter surge in cases. 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, said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health Seattle & King County. The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. King County data shows that since the omicron surge began, residents who are unvaccinated are 27 times more likely to be hospitalized. The number of new cases of COVID are leading to far too much suffering. The City will continue to evaluate in-person, remote, and hybrid arrangements to ensure the needs of Seattle residents are met. Updated: 10:18 PM PST March 3, 2022. The policy was announced in September 2021 as a temporary measure during the Delta variant surge and to prepare for a potential fall and winter surge. The vaccine mandate for Washington, King County and Seattle city employees would go into effect in October. Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County. With high vaccination rates and effective, updated boosters available, we are in a different place in the pandemic, and our policies and regulations will change to reflect the best information we have available today, as they have throughout the last three years., The vaccine mandate was an effective and necessary tool for protecting the health and safety of City workers and the public we serve, said Mayor Harrell. 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. Together, we can help put an end to this pandemic and regain freedom from COVID-19. Everyone age 6 months and older is currently eligible for COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots. We're a very small establishment, old, old building, not crazy ventilation. Here are the latest mask and vaccine-verification policies in King County and Washington state. Asked whether the mandate would isolate those who are unvaccinated, Durkan said that would be their choice. 99% of city employees have complied with Seattle's vaccine mandate, Mayor's Office says May Jenny Durkan's office announced that as of roughly 2:30 p.m., 99% of the city's 11,000 employees have. King County worked with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to gather business feedback to inform the policy and conduct outreach and technical assistance once the policy was in place. This is the first coronavirus death reported in the U.S. Neve is the Chef at Cafe Lago. "The data shows without a doubt that COVID spreads everywhere, and any policy to reduce the spread must similarly apply everywhere," Anton said. Having been on the front lines since the beginning, and now responding to this latest surge, we know this is not sustainable for our communities or our caregivers. 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. There is no longer a statewide mask mandate for most indoor spaces, which include schools, child care facilities, libraries, restaurants and bars, places of worship, gyms, recreation centers, indoor athletic facilities, or retail establishments like grocery stores. There are nearly 300,000 King County residents who are eligible but have not yet started their vaccination series. Guy Hudson, Chief Executive Officer, Swedish Health Services, Rachel Smith, President and CEO of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Nate Dwyer, Chief Operating Officer, Seattle Theatre Group, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, vaccine verification policy at restaurants, bars, and gyms/fitness centers alone could have a significant positive impact, Local Health Officer Order Vaccine Verification (September 16, 2021), Health Order webpage, including Frequently Asked Questions, Public Health Insider Blog on Health Order, King County COVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard, Outdoor events with 500 people or more such as professional and collegiate sports and entertainment events. "Vaccination is our best shield against this deadly virus. Masks are still required statewide on public transit and in health care and congregate living spaces. COVID-19 information King County becomes the third Washington county to put down such a requirement. Public Health continues to encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated and to be prudent about the use of masks in indoor settings.. Employers must verify the vaccination status of employees, regardless of work setting. The requirement applies to state workers, regardless of teleworking status. Vaccine mandate for King County 27 Oct 2021, 5:52 am Save The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. 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. Lukas Crippen joined the Port of Seattle Fire Department nine years ago and has gained leadership experience along the way. Seattle and King County Thursday announced an indoor vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues. We are now in a different phase of the pandemic compared to where we were in 2021 and 2022 and it makes sense to remove any requirements for vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination record card or photo of card. March 1, 2020. Thanks to a tight-knit partnership with King County, we are getting information and tools ready to make compliance simple, and we have built a support network of experts to help businesses of all sizes throughout our region. ", "Seattle was the first region in the country to feel the devastating effects of the COVID-19 virus, and we innovated and brought nation-leading testing and vaccination sites to our residents. At Swedish, we continue to see ongoing outbreaks that put the most vulnerable members of our communities at risk. 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. State employees and workers in private health care and long-term care settings will have until October 18 to be fully vaccinated. "After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy.". 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. Without these clear guidelines, we would put the livelihoods of artists and arts-workers at continued risk. At a news . He says the businesses started requiring vaccine proof in August. King County Executive Comments made at a city . If you have a complaint and wish to file a grievance, or have a question about possible discrimination, please contact the King County Civil Rights Program at civil-rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov; 206-263-2446; TTY Relay 7-1-1; or 401 5th Ave, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98104. "These steps forward show we are moving in the right direction and reflect that our region's strong COVID response is the result of a united team effort. The mandate required customers and visitors to provide proof they were fully vaccinated or recently tested negative for COVID-19 before they could participate in a broad array of indoor. Say your preferred language when connected. The Delta variant is more than twice as contagious as the original COVID-19, which makes increasing vaccination rates even more important to slowing disease spread and protecting people from hospitalization and death. So whoever comes in here has to be vaccinated. Public Health Seattle & King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said the move will protect customers and workers through providing safer spaces, protecting the health care system, and helping prevent business closures. Isolation and quarantine requests With City employees who had previously been working from home beginning to return to office in mid-March, I look forward to keeping up this collaborative spirit as we drive forward an equitable, community-focused recovery. Today our experts advise that immunity has reached a level that allows these requirements to be relaxed. Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. Starting October 25, Washington state's King County will be requiring proof of vaccination for people to enter restaurants, bars, gyms, and non essential businesses. Executive departments will begin to implement their Future of Work plans, which set out how services will be delivered moving forward, whether thats in-person, remotely, or a hybrid of both.