TTY: Relay: 711 After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy. King County to end mask mandate as Washington nears 70% vaccination Officials say they have reached an agreement with a "majority" of unions on a soon-to-be-implemented vaccine mandate for King County employees. Isolation and quarantine requests 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. The job outlook after Seattle, King County lift COVID-19 vaccine "Our data has shown vaccines, masking, and social distancing can reduce the risk of infection and prevent the spread of COVID-19 cases. Establishments will be responsible for checking vaccination proof or negative test status. 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.. King County officials made the announcement Wednesday. Modeling produced by the University of Washingtons Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) predicted the vaccine verification could have a significant positive impact in reducing infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. STG is proud to support this policy to keep the arts safe for our community. Washington State sets vaccine mandate for government and health care workers. That includes medical facilities like hospitals, pharmacies, outpatient and dental facilities, long-term care settings, correctional facilities, taxis and ride-hail vehicles. But not everyone is for the new mandate. The vaccine mandate for Washington, King County and Seattle city employees would go into effect in October. 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 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. Hospital intensive care units are filled with unvaccinated patients who are extremely sick with COVID-19, causing significant strain on health care workers trying to provide the best possible care to all of our patients. Businesses should continue to support employees in getting vaccinated and staying home when sick. Today our experts advise that immunity has reached a level that allows these requirements to be relaxed, said Executive Constantine. The requirements are similar to those recently enacted in New York, San Francisco and New Orleans, as well as in Washington states Clallam and Jefferson counties. King Countys local indoor mask order ended concurrently with the states, Public Health Seattle & King County announced last month. Today, nearly 80% of all King County residents are now fully vaccinated and among those who are eligible to get vaccinated, which are people ages 5 and older, 92% have started the vaccination series. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. No matter what lies ahead, the more vaccinated we are as a community, the safer we will be from this dangerous virus. . Businesses and organizations may still choose to implement their own vaccine verification policies. Chinook Building But the overall mandate is temporary and will be re-evaluated for a possible extension in April 2022. King County will end COVID vaccine requirements at restaurants, bars Immunization program - King County - King County, Washington printed certificate or QR code (available in late September) from. In an interview with Q13's Brandi Kruse, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan discusses King County's indoor vaccine mandate. The statewide and King County mask requirements for outdoor gatherings of over 500 people ended Feb. 18. "Vaccination is our best shield against this deadly virus. Vaccination is our best shield against this deadly virus. This button displays the currently selected search type. According to the media release, more than 98% of King County's nearly 15,000 employees provided proof of vaccination and nearly 4,000 employees were hired since. Inslee announces vaccination requirement for most state - Washington COVID-19 vaccine verification requirements for most businesses in King County have been in effect since October of 2021. After a year-and-a-half of COVID-19 controlling and taking away lives, vaccines are the only way to stop this pandemic, prevent more dangerous strains from developing, restore our freedoms and our safety, and return our society to normalcy. FAX: 206-296-0194, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County, Heather Likins, a registered nurse and member of the Washington State Nurses Association, Cassie Sauer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Washington State Hospital Association, Dr. Christopher Murray, Director, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Dr. John Lynch, Medical Director, Harborview Medical Center Infection Prevention and Control; TTY: Relay: 711 Executive Constantine reissued the order pertaining to Metro service reductions which will remain in effect. At this stage in the pandemic, we have higher levels of immunity from vaccination and from many people having had COVID-19 infections. 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. The updated booster shots will target Omicron variants that are spreading and also the original strain of the COVID virus. The third shot is part of their initial vaccine series, not a booster. Some local businesses throughout Seattle have been requiring proof of vaccination from customers for weeks. 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. At a news . No personal identification with proof of vaccination will be required. Starting October 25, patrons 12-years-old and up must show proof that they are fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of entry. 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. KING COUNTY, Wash. - Starting Monday, a new health order goes into effect across King County. Although our mandatory vaccine verification requirement is ending, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain elevated and layered COVID-19 prevention remains important. Seattle and King County moved to drop its vaccine mandate on Feb. 6 after nearly two years in effect. King County data shows that since the omicron surge began, residents who are unvaccinated are 27 times more likely to be hospitalized. COVID-19 vaccine - King County - King County, Washington 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. 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. 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. Jay Inslee made the announcement on Feb. 28. 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.. Without these clear guidelines, we would put the livelihoods of artists and arts-workers at continued risk. The entire order is not expected to be permanent. The last mandate in Washington, an order requiring masks in health care and correctional facilities, is coming to an end. 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. 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. The vaccine verification policy in King County will no longer be in effect as of March 1. "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. COVID-19 vaccinations | Novel coronavirus information Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan hopes that the new order will make public spaces safer for everyone while slowing the spread of infections. Read the full story on the governor's Medium page. Many public-facing customer service locations will still temporarily operate remotely, and more details on their reopening will be shared at a later date. Some, like Max Heigh, a Filipino business owner in the area, think it's necessary to stay safe amid the pandemic. Local health jurisdictions, some school districts, and individual businesses may still choose to require masks. Employees who refuse to get vaccinated would face losing their jobs, Gov. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination record card or photo of card. Businesses will no longer be required to check customers proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test, to enter restaurants and bars, indoor recreational events and establishments, or outdoor events. In addition, since this policy was adopted, over one-quarter of a million King County residents have gotten vaccinated, meaning nearly 80% of King County residents are now fully vaccinated and 92% of those eligible have started the vaccination series., Although our mandatory vaccine verification requirement is ending, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain elevated and layered COVID-19 prevention remains important. King Countys masking requirement for large outdoor events ended Feb. 18. Jefferson and Clallam counties instituted indoor vaccine mandates for restaurants and bars starting September 4. 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. State employees and workers in private health care and long-term care settings will have until October 18 to be fully vaccinated. Today, nearly 80% of all King County residents are now fully vaccinated and among those who are eligible to get vaccinated, which are people ages 5 and older, 92% have started the vaccination series. SEATTLE King County will no longer require businesses to check patrons' COVID-19 vaccination status beginning March 1 as case rates and hospitalizations continue to drop. 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? 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. For general questions about COVID-19 in Washington State call the Washington State COVID-19 Information Hotline at 1-800-525-0127. 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. Washingtons statewide mandate for schools and businesses lifted March 12, Public Health Seattle & King County announced last month, Washingtons COVID-19 mask requirements to lift on March 12, Mask mandate in WA health care, correctional facilities to end, Fauci should be jailed over COVID lies and mandates, Cruz tells CPAC, Final state emergencies winding down 3 years into pandemic, Troops who refused COVID vaccine still may face discipline, A condition called POTS rose after COVID, and patients cant find care, Coronavirus origins still a mystery 3 years into pandemic, Lab leak likely caused COVID pandemic, Energy Dept. For people who are unvaccinated or cannot prove vaccine status, they will be required to show proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test in the last 72 hours, or a negative rapid test result from a testing provider conducted on site at an event or establishment just prior to entry. 2023 ABS-CBN Corporation. Vaccine Verification Rules End Tuesday In King County - Yahoo! News Since this policy was adopted, over one-quarter of a million King County residents have gotten vaccinated. Inslee pushed up the timeline for lifting Washingtons COVID-19 mask requirements for schools and businesses to March 12 after federal officials loosened public health guidelines on face coverings. Vaccine Verification Rules End Tuesday In King County No appointment needed: most pharmacies, clinics, and Public Health centers now offer drop-in COVID-19 vaccination. 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. As Washington and King County drop masking and vaccination requirements this month, what arts groups are doing is varied, with many performing arts groups extending such requirements through May. Washington state, Seattle and King County announce COVID vaccination We're a very small establishment, old, old building, not crazy ventilation. We announced the vaccination verification policy in anticipation of a fall and winter surge in cases. It's the right thing to do for our workers, our customers, our economy, and the health and vitality of our city. King County's Vaccine Verification Rules Start Monday The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for anyone 6 months and older. View this document in other languages: Current guidance on who can get a booster dose, when to get it, and which type to get: CDC recommends that anyone ages 5 and older who have moderately or severely weakened immune systems (immunocompromised) get a third dose of vaccine. Today our experts advise that immunity has reached a level that allows these requirements to be relaxed. The mask order is the latest in relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in Washington state. Request an accommodation KUOW - Final statewide masking mandate to end in WA The Seattle Metro Chamber strongly and actively supports vaccination because we know it is the path out of this pandemic and toward an equitable economic recovery. Masks will still be required in some settings. 401 Fifth Ave, 3rd Floor 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. SEATTLE - Seattle and King County Thursday announced an indoor vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues. Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe," said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. 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. Here's the latest mask and COVID vaccine requirements in WA and King County dropped its vaccine-verification requirement, These Seattle-area bars and restaurants are still requiring masks and proof of vaccination, What you need to know about mask, vaccine rules at Seattle-area arts and music events, pushed up the timeline for lifting Washingtons COVID-19 mask requirements for schools and businesses, Seattle Public Schools to lift mask mandate, but some say its too soon, Some, but not all, students and educators shed their masks in Washington schools after mandate drops, Seattle, King County prepare for return to in-person work, lifting mask requirements, How to get a COVID-19 vaccine or booster in Washington state, Should you still wear a mask after mandates lift?