of Health, PDF). More than 150 restaurants and bars in King County have already implemented some form of vaccine requirement to enter, The Seattle Times reported. Washington will lift the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care and education workers, but employers can choose to mandate vaccines if they wish. 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 changes come as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations fueled by omicron are declining. 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. Public Health Seattle & King County COVID-19 resources Current guidance Vaccination verification Vaccination verification Beginning March 1, 2022, the vaccine verification requirement will no longer be in effect in King County. Dow Constantine. Vaccination and getting boosters when eligible are the most important tools available to prevent severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Visit Getting vaccinated in King County for vaccine locations and appointments. Dow Constantine. Businesses and workplaces have an important role to play in helping slow the of COVID-19. Jay Inslee in response to the state's vaccine mandate. We are moving in the right direction, and can continue taking additional steps toward recovery, said King County Executive Dow Constantine. Charge an office visit or other fee to the recipient if the only service provided is a COVID-19 vaccination. The countys order includes exceptions for take-out orders, outdoor dining, and grocery stores. This applies to executive cabinet agencies, but the governor encouraged all others such as higher education, local governments, the legislative branch, other statewide elected officials and organizations in the private sector to do the same. After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy. 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. Dr. Jeff Duchin with Public Health - Seattle & King County confirms a man in his 50s died of coronavirus. 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? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. The updated booster shots will target Omicron variants that are spreading and also the original strain of the COVID virus. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. 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. Establishing a vaccine mandate for employees and contractors was critical to keeping employees and the public safe, and keeping services flowing. We have the tools to slow this down and to prevent not only needless suffering but also the ongoing disruption of our lives. Beginning March 1, 2022, the vaccine verification requirement will no longer be in effect in King County. Chan's Place in Woodinville. The steady decline in positive cases is much needed positive news. People 12 years old and up must show proof that they are fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID test taken. Executive Constantine reissued the order pertaining to Metro service reductions which will remain in effect. Businesses should continue to support employees in getting vaccinated and staying home when sick. From the beginning of this pandemic, our aim has been to protect the health of our community and save lives. Updated (bivalent) booster vaccines are now available. 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. STG is proud to support this policy to keep the arts safe for our community. But not everyone is for the new mandate. This is the first coronavirus death reported in the U.S. But the overall mandate is temporary and will be re-evaluated for a possible extension in April 2022. King County data shows that since the omicron surge began, residents who are unvaccinated are 27 times more likely to be hospitalized. King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and others in the community support the order, according to the news release. High levels of preventable COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and increased deaths driven by the highly contagious delta variant prompted the order. State employees and workers in private health care and long-term care settings will have until October 18 to be fully vaccinated. 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. King County becomes the third Washington county to put down such a requirement. 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. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. Vaccine verification was a win-win: our businesses got to keep their staff on payroll and keep their doors open, while prioritizing safety. As a father, Neve says this requirement gives him piece of mind when he returns home to his three-year-old, who can't get the vaccine. 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. Seattle and King County Thursday announced an indoor vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues. SEATTLE Washington Gov. At this stage in the pandemic, we have higher levels of immunity from vaccination and from many people having had COVID-19 infections. King. Amanda Zhou covers afternoon breaking news and enterprise for The Seattle Times. Public Health continues to encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated and to be prudent about the use of masks in indoor settings.. For COVID-19 information and resources visit kingcounty.gov/covid. Too many people, adults and children, are ending up in hospitals across the state and here in our county, threatening to overwhelm the system. Following the record-breaking Omicron surge, were have seen a steady reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and hospital capacity is improving. 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. Jefferson and Clallam counties instituted indoor vaccine mandates for restaurants and bars starting September 4. 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. For businesses, it is important to: 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. Lukas Crippen joined the Port of Seattle Fire Department nine years ago and has gained leadership experience along the way. It comes as the state and the nation pass another major pandemic milestone. Vaccine verification is one more tool to help keep our community safe, slow the spread of the coronavirus and ensure that our nurses and health care workers can be there for you when you need us. For more information on King County's COVID-19 vaccine verification policy, visit KingCounty.gov/verify. Washington State sets vaccine mandate for government and health care workers. 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. Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. The policy required either verification of full vaccination or a recent negative test to enter indoor entertainment and recreational events or establishments, indoor restaurants and bars, and outdoor events with 500 people or more. Jay Inslee announced a face mask mandate across the state. 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. 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. Request an accommodation If you have a disability and need accommodation, email publichealthaccommodations@kingcounty.gov. 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. Multiple King County business owners and major sports teams had already implemented their own vaccination verification policies. Charge you directly for any administration fees, copays, or coinsurance. the Washington State Nurses Association, and . 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. 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. 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. The mandate will also apply to outdoor events with more than 500 people in attendance. "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. These workers live in every community in our state, working together and with the public every day to deliver services, Inslee said. 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.