Seek appropriate reimbursement from the recipients plan or program (example: private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid) for a vaccine administration fee. Public Health, King County, and City of Seattle will be working with partners to provide technical support and educational materials to businesses and organizations implementing the order. Executive departments will begin to implement their Future of Work plans, which set out how services will be delivered moving forward, whether thats in-person, remotely, or a hybrid of both. Rescinding Vaccination Mandate for Contractors - King County We must act now and act boldly to change the trajectory of the virus and keep our communities safe. Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe. That's the plan of 14th District State Rep. Chris Corry of Yakima. For everyone aged 5 years and older if it has been at least 2 months since your last dose. Jay Inslee said. 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. WA's COVID state of emergency will lift on Oct. 31, Inslee says 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. 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. 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. Businesses should continue to improve ventilation, support vaccination for employees, and encourage employees to stay home when sick. Public Health continues to encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated and to be prudent about the use of masks in indoor settings.. There will be no personal exemptions, but employees can apply for religious exemption. Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the status of King Countys mask mandate for large outdoor events. Amanda Zhou covers afternoon breaking news and enterprise for The Seattle Times. King County, the City of Seattle, and Public Health developed the vaccine verification policy in consultation with Public Health's Pandemic and Racism Community Advisory Group, cities, small businesses, chambers of commerce, labor unions, trade associations, sports teams, entertainment venues, community groups, and faith-based leaders throughout the county to create a policy that aims to be workable, fair, and equitable for businesses and residents. SEATTLE Washington 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. 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. Executive Constantine reissued the order pertaining to Metro service reductions which will remain in effect. Public health highly recommends following the current vaccination guidance which includes a bivalent booster dose for the best protection. Updated (bivalent) booster vaccines are now available. Preventing further COVID infections is a powerful way to protect the health care system. Although our mandatory vaccine verification requirement is ending, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain elevated and layered COVID-19 prevention remains important. 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. In alignment with CDC, the Washington Department of Health recommends workers and passengers two years of age or older wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings, including both conveyances and transportation hubs. 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. No matter what lies ahead, the more vaccinated we are as a community, the safer we will be from this dangerous virus. "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. Washington State Department of Health guidance. "After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy.". Of the 51 deaths in King County from COVID-19 over the last 28 days, Duchin said 90% have been people 65 years or older. IHME's projections show that COVID-19 transmissions will extend beyond 2021. said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of IHME. 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. Below are resources and current guidance to help keep your workers and customers safe. As employers prepare to implement the new vaccine verification program over the next several weeks, the Chamber is ready to be their champion. People ages 12 and older will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative . 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. King County drops COVID vaccine requirement for bars, restaurants Vaccine verification was a win-win: our businesses got to keep their staff on payroll and keep their doors open, while prioritizing safety. I am not covering everything about this mandate, but it is easy to look up if you have questions. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. 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. State workers file lawsuit over Inslee's vaccine mandate in Washington 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. Local health jurisdictions, some school districts, and individual businesses may still choose to require masks. Some, like Max Heigh, a Filipino business owner in the area, think it's necessary to stay safe amid the pandemic. "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. After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy. 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. At a news . Contact King County COVID-19 Business and Community Information by submitting a written inquiry or report online. Masks are also still required on school buses a federal requirement, according to Inslees office. More people are now vaccinated and protected against severe COVID-19. The Fil-Am-owned Knee High Stocking and Jeepney, has already implemented its own vaccine mandate since August. Almost a year after lifting its indoor mask mandate, Washington state will drop mask mandates in health care, long-term care and correctional facilities on April 3, state health officials announced Friday, March 3. . When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. SEATTLE - Seattle and King County Thursday announced an indoor vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues. In-person customer service counters will continue to remain open. The job outlook after Seattle, King County lift COVID-19 vaccine The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. If you have a disability and need accommodation, email publichealthaccommodations@kingcounty.gov. 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. KING COUNTY, Wash. - Starting Monday, a new health order goes into effect across King County. Ce bouton affiche le type de recherche actuellement slectionn. 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? Il permet de dtailler la liste des options de recherche, qui modifieront les termes saisis pour correspondre la slection actuelle. Following the record-breaking Omicron surge, were have seen a steady reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and hospital capacity is improving. But not everyone is for the new mandate. We support the engagement of the public and private sector to play more of a role in helping close the vaccination gap in our communities. We applaud King County for requiring vaccinations and encourage other counties to do the same. Masks are still required statewide on public transit and in health care and congregate living spaces. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. In addition: Individuals who are immunocompromised may want to take extra precautions. King County Executive 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. 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. The requirement applies to state workers, regardless of teleworking status. . Vaccine Mandate Frequently Asked Questions ; Transportation ; Safe Communities . Immune compromised children and adults should also get booster doses when eligible. This is the first coronavirus death reported in the U.S. Indoor entertainment and recreational events or establishments such as professional and collegiate sports, entertainment, performing arts, museums, theatre, live music, gyms, and conferences/conventions. RELATED: Washington state troopers, other workers sue over vaccine mandate. 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. Businesses and organizations may still choose to implement their own vaccine verification policies. 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. Washington's mask order in healthcare facilities ends April 3 | king5.com With King Countys high level of vaccination booster uptake and lower levels of community spread, hospitalizations due to COVID infection remained at a safe level, making the overall risk forecast low enough to lift the mandate for employees, volunteers, and contractors. The entire order is not expected to be permanent. 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. 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. 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. Establishing a vaccine mandate for employees and contractors was critical to keeping employees and the public safe, and keeping services flowing. 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 . King County 's vaccine requirement has been in effect since October 2021. 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. Local governments still have the authority to continue or reimplement mask mandates, and private businesses can still require employees and customers to wear masks, according to Inslees office. COVID-19 vaccine is free and no insurance required. Inslee announces vaccination requirement for most state - Washington "We must act now and act boldly to change the trajectory of the virus and keep our communities safe," Durkan said. It was three years ago this week that the first case of Covid-19 in the nation was detected and reported in King County. Treatments such as Paxlovid antiviral treatment are available for people who get infected and may be at higher risk. 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. 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. Washington State sets vaccine mandate for government and health care workers. Starting February 6, the King County Executive terminated Executive Order ACO-8-28-EO pertaining to the vaccination mandate for contractors. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. Jay Inslee announced a face mask mandate across the state. 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. In an interview with Q13's Brandi Kruse, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan discusses King County's indoor vaccine mandate. "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. King County ending vaccination verification policy on March 1 as new Employees also must allow workers to continue wearing masks if they choose and cannot take adverse action against a worker who wears a mask or takes time off to get vaccinated or seek coronavirus-related treatment. 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. For the latest business and worker guidance related to reopening, visit the Washington Ready page or the governor's website. Read the full story on the governor's Medium page. Port of Seattle on LinkedIn: Lukas Crippen 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. Executive Dow. Vaccinations are free and health insurance is not required.