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. A negative Covid-19 test from within 72 hours will also be accepted. Dow Constantine. King County has received complaints about 150 businesses as of last week that members of the public feel haven't been complying with a new countywide policy requiring patrons to show proof of. Private businesses can still require masks if they choose, and local governments can enact, continue or reimplement mandates. No personal identification with proof of vaccination will be required. If businesses, schools, and government come together, we can help protect our community and help stop this pandemic sooner rather than later.". 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. The order applies inside restaurants and bars. We applaud King County for requiring vaccinations and encourage other counties to do the same. Washington's mask order in healthcare facilities ends April 3 | king5.com While the significant benefits of vaccination have not changed, the acute threat to our community and healthcare system has decreased. 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. After more than twenty months, I desperately want to get back to as close to normal as possible, but we can't get there without reducing the risk for all through vaccination, masking, testing, physical distancing, and ventilation. King County health officer Dr. Jeff . State officials accelerated the timeline for lifting the mask requirement initially set to wind down on March 21 after federal officials loosened public health guidelines on face coverings. The case was filed . Only children under 12 are exempted from the mandate. 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. The lifting of the vaccination mandate for contractors is part of the Executive's action to rescind the county's COVID-19 Proclamation of Emergency that was issued on March 1, 2020 . Washington state, Seattle and King County announce COVID vaccination 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. Public health highly recommends following the current vaccination guidance which includes a bivalent booster dose for the best protection. Youre making a choice that by doing that you cant participate in things that are really important to society.". Individuals under 12 years of age, who are not eligible to be vaccinated, are not required to be tested for entry. 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. 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. Helping state workers who were fired due to Washington State's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Jay Inslee said. King Countys local indoor mask order ended concurrently with the states, Public Health Seattle & King County announced last month. Establishing a vaccine mandate for employees and contractors was critical to keeping employees and the public safe, and keeping services flowing. This mandate comes as Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to rise in King's County. For isolation and quarantine requests contact the King County COVID-19 Mobile Isolation and Quarantine Program at 206-848-0710. 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. 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. The performing arts industry has been devastated by this pandemic. Safeway's AdWith the Fred Meyer weekly flyer, you can find sales for a WA's COVID state of emergency will lift on Oct. 31, Inslee says March 1, 2020. Although our mandatory vaccine verification requirement is ending, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain elevated and layered COVID-19 prevention remains important. Starting this Monday October 25, people ages 12+ will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result to enter many establishments and events within King County . The third shot is part of their initial vaccine series, not a booster. Neve is the Chef at Cafe Lago. Officials say they have reached an agreement with a "majority" of unions on a soon-to-be-implemented vaccine mandate for King County employees. Chan's Place in Woodinville. The Moderna vaccine is approved for anyone age 6 months to 5 years or age 18 and over. 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. See L&I Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID19 and reporting cases. King County Executive From the beginning of this pandemic, our aim has been to protect the health of our community and save lives. 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. It's the right thing to do for our workers, our customers, our economy, and the health and vitality of our city. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. 2023 ABS-CBN Corporation. 150 businesses in King County receive complaints over not complying UW's IHME projects our outbreak to worsen in the next six months with hundreds of thousands of additional cases, thousands of additional hospitalizations, and approximately a thousand additional deaths, with the majority among unvaccinated people. 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. Contact King County COVID-19 Business and Community Information by submitting a written inquiry or report online. 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 . 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. We should be doing all we can to ensure the health care system is there to serve our residents. KUOW - King County will require proof of vaccination at bars Washington State Department of Health guidance. 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. Children . King Countys masking requirement for large outdoor events ended Feb. 18. Vaccine mandate for King County - Washington Forum 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. Businesses should continue to support employees in getting vaccinated and staying home when sick. "Our data has shown vaccines, masking, and social distancing can reduce the risk of infection and prevent the spread of COVID-19 cases. Isolation and quarantine requests He was joined by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Kaiser Permanente Washington President Susan Mullaney, Washington State Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah, and Seattle-King County Public Health Officer Dr. Jeffrey Duchin . 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. The directive includes a definition for being "fully vaccinated" as being 14 days after receiving the second dose of a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the FDA or World Health Organization. In-person customer service counters will continue to remain open. The changes come as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations fueled by omicron are declining. Jefferson and Clallam counties instituted indoor vaccine mandates for restaurants and bars starting September 4. These steps will be important to protect against both current and future COVID-19 surges. 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. 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. KUOW - Final statewide masking mandate to end in WA 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. Ben Brooks sur LinkedIn : Google Releases A/B Testing Partners to CDC recommends one updated (bivalent) booster dose: There is no booster recommendation for children aged 6 months to 4 years who got the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series. Live blog: Workers face termination as vaccine deadline lands Establishing a vaccine mandate for employees and contractors was critical to keeping employees and the public safe, and keeping services flowing. Less than 2% of employees were . The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. Additionally, King County and the City of Seattle announced their remote employees would begin returning to offices in March. 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. It's been a challenging time. Vaccination is our best shield against this deadly virus. Together, we can help put an end to this pandemic and regain freedom from COVID-19. Link/share our site at kingcounty.gov/covid/vaccine, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, Wikang Tagalog/Filipino Tagalog/Filipino, For community and faith-based organizations, Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines (WA Dept. Vaccine verification was a win-win: our businesses got to keep their staff on payroll and keep their doors open, while prioritizing safety. KING COUNTY, Wash. - Gov. Gov. Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe," said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. Immunization guidelines and resources for King County. King County's Vaccine Verification Rules Start Monday The vaccine mandate first went into effect mid-2021. Executive Constantine and Mayor Harrell also announced that restrictions on in-office work will be lifted, and remote employees will begin returning to the office in March. FAX: 206-296-0194. But to me, I think starting the vaccine cards, I think that's a little bit above, over, over the fence there. 401 Fifth Ave, 3rd Floor Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. Executive Dow. There are nearly 300,000 King County residents who are eligible but have not yet started their vaccination series. King County data shows that since the omicron surge began, residents who are unvaccinated are 27 times more likely to be hospitalized. We must act now and act boldly to change the trajectory of the virus and keep our communities safe. Washington announces COVID vaccine mandate for state workers, health It doesnt affect outdoor dining, take-out orders and shopping in places including grocery stores. 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.