It doesnt affect outdoor dining, take-out orders and shopping in places including grocery stores. A look at who's exempt from Washington's COVID-19 vaccine mandate Officials say more than 98% of King County's 15,000 employeesand 4,000 hired sinceprovided proof of vaccination, while less than 2% were . The job outlook after Seattle, King County lift COVID-19 vaccine Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan hopes that the new order will make public spaces safer for everyone while slowing the spread of infections. Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. KING COUNTY, Wash. - Gov. 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. Today our experts advise that immunity has reached a level that allows these requirements to be relaxed, said Executive Constantine. 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. Todays orders will not impact booking restrictions at King County correctional facilities originally adopted at the beginning of the pandemic, and that remain in effect due to staffing shortages at the correctional facilities. Mayor Bruce. 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. RELATED: State workers seek exemptions to Washington COVID-19 vaccine mandate. We have a duty to protect them from the virus, they have the right to be protected, and the communities they serve and live in deserve protection as well.. WA to end masking requirement in health care, correctional facilities, Fire on Lake City Way in Seattle raises smoke, flooding concerns, One Seattle business is taking a stand against tipping mania, Tacoma woman refusing tuberculosis treatment continues to face arrest, Be bolder to get light rail done, expert panel tells Sound Transit. King County to end indoor vaccination verification March 1 at bars AboutCareersPrivacyTermsContact UsAdvertise With Us, King County, Seattle, vaccination mandate, TFC News, Lalaine Ignao | TFC News Seattle, Washington. We are moving in the right direction, and can continue taking additional steps toward recovery. Vaccination mandate in King County, Seattle starts October 25 Visit Getting vaccinated in King County for vaccine locations and appointments. Washington announces COVID vaccine mandate for state workers, health CDC recommends the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines over J&J for both initial and booster vaccinations. King County customers of restaurants, theaters, gyms must show proof of That work is why we have one of the highest vaccination rates and the lowest cases, hospitalizations, and deaths of any major American city," said Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan. Because we dont know yet how long this immunity lasts or have a way to test for it in individuals, vaccination is recommended for everyone even those who have been previously infected. ", "Our COVID-19 response must continue to adapt to the difficult, changing reality of this pandemic. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. Comments made at a city . March 1, 2020. 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. King County . Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. Learn more about eligibility and getting vaccinated in King County. In addition to the employee vaccine mandate, Executive Constantine also rescinded the countys COVID emergency proclamation today. The latest setting on King County's dial is a vaccine mandate to enter restaurants, bars, and non-essential businesses. WA's COVID state of emergency will lift on Oct. 31, Inslee says But the overall mandate is temporary and will be re-evaluated for a possible extension in April 2022. The countys order includes exceptions for take-out orders, outdoor dining, and grocery stores. Press inquiries | 360.902.4136, Vaccine Mandate Frequently Asked Questions, Governor's Distinguished Managers Association, Governors Task Force on Independent Investigations of Police Use of Force, Request a Ceremonial Proclamation, Greeting or Letter. Everyone age 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, 68% of the total King County population and 79% of eligible King County residents (those 12 years of age and up) have completed their vaccination series against COVID-19, including more than 70% of every eligible age group and all racial groups tracked by Public Health. Although our mandatory vaccine verification requirement is ending, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain elevated and layered COVID-19 prevention remains important. Officials say they have reached an agreement with a "majority" of unions on a soon-to-be-implemented vaccine mandate for King County employees. The order applies inside restaurants and bars. Local restaurants struggle with loss of business due to King Co vaccine 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. As a member of the Seattle & King County community, as a parent of two children in local schools, and as an infectious diseases physician who has worked on fighting the pandemic since January of 2020, I am in very strong support of the actions being taken by Public Health Seattle & King County. These workers live in every community in our state, working together and with the public every day to deliver services, Inslee said. Isolation and quarantine requests Masks are still required statewide on public transit and in health care and congregate living spaces. TTY: Relay: 711 Additionally, King County and the City of Seattle announced their remote employees would begin returning to offices in March. King Countys vaccination verification policy went into effect on October 25, 2021. 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. Vaccine Mandate Frequently Asked Questions | Governor Jay - Washington 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. Vaccinations are free and health insurance is not required. 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. "For the people who say I just dont want it well then youre making a choice. "The way that this works the best is if people make the right choices," Mayor Jenny Durkan said in an interview with Q13 News. More people are now vaccinated and protected against severe COVID-19. KING COUNTY, Wash. After nearly two years, King County and the City of Seattle will no longer require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Jay Inslee made the announcement on Feb. 28. Stay connected withQ13News on all platforms: DOWNLOAD:Q13 News and Weather AppsWATCH:Q13 News LiveSUBSCRIBE:Q13 FOX on YouTubeDAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our NewsletterFOLLOW:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram. Children . 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. Masks are now credited, by public health officials, with limiting the spread of Covid-19. Jay Inslee's COVID-19 vaccine mandate went into effect Monday. Businesses should continue to improve ventilation, support vaccination for employees, and encourage employees to stay home when sick. Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe. The mandate requires most state employees, health care workers and school employees to get. Chan's Place in Woodinville. 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. Browse all Safeway locations in the United States for pharmacies and weekly deals on fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, deli, beer, wine and liquor. 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, said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County. To learn more about this policy change, read our blog post. Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. The last mandate in Washington, an order requiring masks in health care and correctional facilities, is coming to an end. COVID-19 vaccine verification requirements for most businesses in King County have been in effect since October of 2021. Washington state is expanding its COVID-19 vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff plus those working at the state's colleges and universities . 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. Il permet de dtailler la liste des options de recherche, qui modifieront les termes saisis pour correspondre la slection actuelle. 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. isolate away from others if you are ill, quarantine away from others if you are not up-to-date on your vaccinations and are exposed to someone with COVID-19, and get tested when possible if you have symptoms or are exposed. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. 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. 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. 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. Without these clear guidelines, we would put the livelihoods of artists and arts-workers at continued risk. The City will continue to evaluate in-person, remote, and hybrid arrangements to ensure the needs of Seattle residents are met. 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. Our COVID-19 response must continue to adapt to the difficult, changing reality of this pandemic. With over 85 percent of King County residents having received at least their first vaccine dose, vaccine verification will help keep people safe and keep businesses open. 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. other official immunization record from within or outside the United States, including from your health care provider. By June 2020, Gov. 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. Some, like Max Heigh, a Filipino business owner in the area, think it's necessary to stay safe amid the pandemic. It's been a challenging time. And King County members of the Washington Nightlife Music Association, a coalition of independently owned music venues, last month called on government officials to implement a vaccination-check mandate and the development of a statewide vaccine verification system. Multiple King County business owners and major sports teams had already implemented their own vaccination verification policies. With new COVID-19 cases and hospitalization decreasing, and over 87% of King County residents over age 12 fully vaccinated, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced Public Health Seattle & King County is lifting the local health order requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry into indoor recreational settings, or outdoor events. Staff are available 7days a week from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Non-medical questions about COVID-19, including compliance and business-related issues? To keep employees and the community safe and healthy, in mid-2021 that included requiring all county and city employees, contractors, and volunteers to show proof they had received the initial COVID-19 vaccination series. Hospitals are really stretched right now across Washington State. Public Health continues to encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated and to be prudent about the use of masks in indoor settings.. 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. I am not covering everything about this mandate, but it is easy to look up if you have questions. Businesses and organizations may still choose to implement their own vaccine verification policies. Current COVID-19 guidance - King County, Washington "Vaccination is our best shield against this deadly virus. We have the tools to slow this down and to prevent not only needless suffering but also the ongoing disruption of our lives. King County becomes the third Washington county to put down such a requirement.