The City will continue to evaluate in-person, remote, and hybrid arrangements to ensure the needs of Seattle residents are met. 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. It doesnt affect outdoor dining, take-out orders and shopping in places including grocery stores. 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. 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. 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. of Health, PDF). Additionally, King County and the City of Seattle announced their remote employees would begin returning to offices in March. Less than 2% of employees were . The performing arts industry has been devastated by this pandemic. Businesses should continue to support employees in getting vaccinated and staying home when sick. 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. Contact King County COVID-19 Business and Community Information by submitting a written inquiry or report online. The requirement applies to state workers, regardless of teleworking status. Time is running out on free COVID tests and vaccines; what then? Vaccine verification was a win-win: our businesses got to keep their staff on payroll and keep their doors open, while prioritizing safety. Isolation and quarantine requests Link/share our site at kingcounty.gov/covid/current, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, Wikang Tagalog/Filipino Tagalog/Filipino, For community and faith-based organizations, L&I Requirements and Guidance for Preventing COVID19 and reporting cases, L&I Workplace Safety and Health Guidance, Guidance and resources for businesses and employers, Guidance for Non-Health Care Businesses and Organizations, Safe Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance for Public Spaces, Business Health Trust Employer Resources, [email protected], submitting a written inquiry or report online. Establishments will be responsible for checking vaccination proof or negative test status. Treatments such as Paxlovid antiviral treatment are available for people who get infected and may be at higher risk. Officials say they have reached an agreement with a "majority" of unions on a soon-to-be-implemented vaccine mandate for King County employees. 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. King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and others in the community support the order, according to the news release. The entire order is not expected to be permanent. No matter what lies ahead, the more vaccinated we are as a community, the safer we will be from this dangerous virus. 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. "It just seemed like the tool at our disposal to keep our community safer," said Lucas Neve. other official immunization record from within or outside the United States, including from your health care provider. Vaccination is our best shield against this deadly virus. Businesses are free to impose their own vaccine requirements, but there is no countywide requirement. Asked whether the mandate would isolate those who are unvaccinated, Durkan said that would be their choice. COVID-19 vaccine verification requirements for most businesses in King County have been in effect since October of 2021. To learn more about this policy change, read our blog post. King County Executive 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. The announcement comes as Washington is experiencing a severe increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations in every county, due to the Delta variant, with the overwhelming majority of cases and hospitalizations being among unvaccinated Washingtonians. Weve seen an 80% decrease in COVID-19 incidence rates and a 60% decrease in hospitalization rates since COVID-19 cases peaked locally in mid-January. 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 . King County will stop requiring restaurants and bars to verify customers' vaccination statuses for indoor dining starting March 1, officials announced Wednesday, as case counts and. Jay Inslee announced a face mask mandate across the state. For isolation and quarantine requests contact the King County COVID-19 Mobile Isolation and Quarantine Program at 206-848-0710. Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. 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. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. Gov. 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. A negative Covid test from within 72 hours will also be acceptable. There's just no way around it. Request an accommodation If you have a disability and need accommodation, email [email protected]. People ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative . Vaccination verification is just one part of a multi-faceted COVID-19 prevention strategy. By June 2020, Gov. We also know the COVID-19 vaccines remain one of the safest and most effective tools for preventing severe illness and hospitalizations, so we support the announcement today that we believe will help encourage everyone who can get vaccinated to get vaccinated. 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. Seattle Times staff reporters Elise Takahama and Joseph OSullivan contributed to this report. 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. 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. 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. To learn more about this policy change, read our blog post. Masks are now credited, by public health officials, with limiting the spread of Covid-19. AboutCareersPrivacyTermsContact UsAdvertise With Us, King County, Seattle, vaccination mandate, TFC News, Lalaine Ignao | TFC News Seattle, Washington. 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. The last mandate in Washington, an order requiring masks in health care and correctional facilities, is coming to an end. Il permet de dtailler la liste des options de recherche, qui modifieront les termes saisis pour correspondre la slection actuelle. 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. King County Executive The statewide and King County mask requirements for outdoor gatherings of over 500 people ended Feb. 18. The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. 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. Vaccination and getting boosters when eligible are the most important tools available to prevent severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. That's the plan of 14th District State Rep. Chris Corry of Yakima. The case was filed . To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. 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. For general questions about COVID-19 in Washington State call the Washington State COVID-19 Information Hotline at 1-800-525-0127. 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. This mandate comes as Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to rise in King's County. 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.. Private businesses can still require masks if they choose, and local governments can enact, continue or reimplement mandates. Editors note: This post is no longer being updated. Charge you directly for any administration fees, copays, or coinsurance. 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. 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. Amanda Zhou covers afternoon breaking news and enterprise for The Seattle Times. FAX: 206-296-0194. 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. At this stage in the pandemic, we have higher levels of immunity from vaccination and from many people having had COVID-19 infections. As employers prepare to implement the new vaccine verification program over the next several weeks, the Chamber is ready to be their champion. Hospitals are really stretched right now across Washington State. At this stage in the pandemic, we have higher levels of immunity from vaccination and from many people having had COVID-19 infections. Our top priority has been to support the King County business community as it navigated changes in regulations, and it can expect that same high level of support and resources from the Chamber to help ensure safety for our community moving forward.. 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. 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. This gives employees enough time to schedule an appointment for the Pfizer,. Individuals under 12 years of age, who are not eligible to be vaccinated, are not required to be tested for entry. A Health Order issued today by Public Health Seattle & King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin, going into effect on October 25, will protect customers and workers through providing safer spaces, protecting our health care system, and helping prevent business closures. 2023 FOX Television Stations, from SAT 6:00 PM PST until SUN 12:00 PM PST, Wenatchee Area, Bryan Kohberger's Pennsylvania warrants: Experts break down key evidence, Morris leads the Seattle Sounders against Real Salt Lake, 'I've been really scared:' Survivor of home invasion sexual assault fighting to keep suspects in jail, Remains found tangled in a fishing line south of Marysville in 1979 identified through DNA, VIDEO: Kent police search for man who stole car with 2 children inside; children later found unharmed, Bryan Kohberger lawyer blasts 'grotesquely twisted' media coverage of stabbing that killed 4 Idaho students, Philadelphia Eagles WR Zach Pascal robbed at gunpoint in Maryland, Thurston County man dead after being hit by car in his own driveway, suspect arrested, VIDEO: Distinct red van may have been used in multiple break-ins in Seattle, Edmonds, Investigators: Former Puyallup police officer accused of rape may be linked to other assault, Skin cancer removed from President Biden's chest, Roof collapses during vacant building fire in Lake City, Seattle Police search for suspect who shot someone in the leg in Belltown, Seattle Police search for hit-and-run driver, SPD: 3 kids arrested for threats, stealing a car, having guns. From the beginning of this pandemic, our aim has been to protect the health of our community and save lives. 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. We applaud King County for requiring vaccinations and encourage other counties to do the same. Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537, Main phone: 206-263-9600 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. "King County's vaccine verification program will prevent infections, hospitalizations and deaths, safeguard our healthcare system, and provide safer spaces for the public and for workers. Ce bouton affiche le type de recherche actuellement slectionn. 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. He said the association would continue working to be part of a solution based on science and urged people to be kind to hospitality workers as they work to stop the spread of the coronavirus. 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 . 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. 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. RELATED: State workers seek exemptions to Washington COVID-19 vaccine mandate. 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. Jay Inslee said. Establishing a vaccine mandate for employees and contractors was critical to keeping employees and the public safe, and keeping services flowing. 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. STG is proud to support this policy to keep the arts safe for our community. High levels of preventable COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and increased deaths driven by the highly contagious delta variant prompted the order. 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. Employers must verify the vaccination status of employees, regardless of work setting. 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. 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. More than 98% of King Countys nearly 15,000 employees provided proof of vaccination at the time the mandate launched and the nearly 4,000 employees hired since, while less than 2% were separated at that time due to the requirement. The latest setting on King County's dial is a vaccine mandate to enter restaurants, bars, and non-essential businesses. . King Countys local indoor mask order ended concurrently with the states, Public Health Seattle & King County announced last month. 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.. Visit Getting vaccinated in King County for vaccine locations and appointments. 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. 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. 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. That work is why we have one of the highest vaccination rates and the lowest cases, hospitalizations, and deaths of any major American city. Dow Constantine. 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 . 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 reports losing about 2% of its workforce and the city of Seattle lost about 1% of workers who refused the vaccine. Public and constituent inquiries | 360.902.4111 Washington will lift the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care and education workers, but employers can choose to mandate vaccines if they wish. IHME's projections show that COVID-19 transmissions will extend beyond 2021. said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of IHME. 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. TTY: Relay: 711 By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. The mandate will also apply to outdoor events with more than 500 people in attendance. Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County. Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine is approved for anyone age 18 and over, however in most instances the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines are preferred. 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. There are nearly 300,000 King County residents who are eligible but have not yet started their vaccination series. RELATED: The Divide Podcast: Seattle's mayor defends indoor vaccine requirement. ", "Our COVID-19 response must continue to adapt to the difficult, changing reality of this pandemic. 2023 ABS-CBN Corporation. Many public-facing customer service locations will still temporarily operate remotely, and more details on their reopening will be shared at a later date. Businesses and workplaces have an important role to play in helping slow the of COVID-19. That means face masks are coming off for all who want to do so in most places starting June 29. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan hopes that the new order will make public spaces safer for everyone while slowing the spread of infections. Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, use high quality, well-fitting face masks, improve indoor air quality through ventilation and/or use of HEPA filtration, avoid crowded and poorly ventilated indoor spaces. 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. Since this policy was adopted, over one-quarter of a million King County residents have gotten vaccinated. "We are at a critical point in this pandemic, with high levels of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and no certainty as to what will follow the Delta variant," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. The third shot is part of their initial vaccine series, not a booster. 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. Employers will still be required to tell workers when there is a suspected or confirmed coronavirus case. A negative Covid-19 test from within 72 hours will also be accepted. Neve is the Chef at Cafe Lago. 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. 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? 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. This button displays the currently selected search type. CDC recommends the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines over J&J for both initial and booster vaccinations. Dow Constantine. For the latest information on masking requirements in the Seattle area, Washington state and U.S., clickhere. This is the first coronavirus death reported in the U.S. Helping state workers who were fired due to Washington State's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. In addition: Individuals who are immunocompromised may want to take extra precautions. 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. ", We announced the vaccination verification policy in anticipation of a fall and winter surge in cases. For COVID-19 information and resources visit kingcounty.gov/covid. Updated (bivalent) booster vaccines are now available. 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. If businesses, schools, and government come together, we can help protect our community and help stop this pandemic sooner rather than later.". At the City of Seattle, more than 99% of employees provided proof of vaccination or received an accommodation, while less than 1% were separated at that time. Isolation and quarantine requests Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe. An analysis by the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) conducted for King County found that the vaccine verification policy at restaurants, bars, and gyms/fitness centers alone could have a significant positive impact, preventing between 17,900 and 75,900 infections, 421 and 1,760 hospitalizations, and 63 and 257 deaths locally over six months with the order in place. In addition to the employee vaccine mandate, Executive Constantine also rescinded the countys COVID emergency proclamation today. If you have a disability and need accommodation, email [email protected]. No appointment needed: most pharmacies, clinics, and Public Health centers now offer drop-in COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine mandate for King County 27 Oct 2021, 5:52 am Save The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. 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 top priority has been to support the King County business community as it navigated changes in regulations, and it can expect that same high level of support and resources from the Chamber to help ensure safety for our community moving forward. Masks will still be required in some settings. Seek appropriate reimbursement from the recipients plan or program (example: private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid) for a vaccine administration fee. King County Executive I am not covering everything about this mandate, but it is easy to look up if you have questions. It's the right thing to do for our workers, our customers, our economy, and the health and vitality of our city.
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