Updated: 10:18 PM PST March 3, 2022. 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. The lifting of the vaccination mandate for contractors is part of the, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, Rescinding Vaccination Mandate for Contractors, Executives action to rescind the countys COVID-19 Proclamation of Emergency that was issued on March 1, 2020. Beginning March 1, 2022, the vaccine verification requirement will no longer be in effect in King County. 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. TTY: Relay: 711 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. But Seattle is not immune to the surge in cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant. 99% of city employees have complied with Seattle's vaccine mandate, Mayor's Office says May Jenny Durkan's office announced that as of roughly 2:30 p.m., 99% of the city's 11,000 employees have. Although our mandatory vaccine verification requirement is ending, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain elevated and layered COVID-19 prevention remains important. For more information on King County's COVID-19 vaccine verification policy, visit KingCounty.gov/verify. 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. Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe," said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. As employers prepare to implement the new vaccine verification program over the next several weeks, the Chamber is ready to be their champion. Dr. Jeff Duchin with Public Health - Seattle & King County confirms a man in his 50s died of coronavirus. Seattle and King County Thursday announced an indoor vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues. In addition: Individuals who are immunocompromised may want to take extra precautions. Only children under 12 are exempted from the mandate. It's the right thing to do for our workers, our customers, our economy, and the health and vitality of our city. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. The case was filed . Establishing a vaccine mandate for employees and contractors was critical to keeping employees and the public safe, and keeping services flowing. How can I get the COVID-19 vaccine in King County? "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. Businesses and organizations may continue to implement their own vaccination verification rules for their establishments. Masks will still be required in some settings. The number of new cases of COVID are leading to far too much suffering. Browse all Safeway locations in the United States for pharmacies and weekly deals on fresh produce, meat, seafood, bakery, deli, beer, wine and liquor. 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. Vaccination verification is just one part of a multi-faceted COVID-19 prevention strategy. Individuals under 12 years of age, who are not eligible to be vaccinated, are not required to be tested for entry. KING COUNTY, Wash. - Gov. Public health highly recommends following the current vaccination guidance which includes a bivalent booster dose for the best protection. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Since this policy was adopted, over one-quarter of a million King County residents have gotten vaccinated. Compare vaccine types: Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines (WA Dept. 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. Employees who refuse to get vaccinated would face losing their jobs, Gov. IHME's projections show that COVID-19 transmissions will extend beyond 2021. said Dr. Christopher Murray, director of IHME. 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. Isolation and quarantine requests RELATED: The Divide Podcast: Seattle's mayor defends indoor vaccine requirement. For more business resources about this policy change, please visit the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce's website: kcvaxverified.com, Infographic about why the vaccine verification policy is lifting on March 1, 2022, Link/share our site at kingcounty.gov/verify, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, To learn more about this policy change, read our blog post, Encourage employees to stay home when sick. 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. 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. 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. "We must act now and act boldly to change the trajectory of the virus and keep our communities safe," Durkan said. Following the record-breaking Omicron surge, were have seen a steady reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and hospital capacity is improving. Following updated public health guidelines, King County and the City of Seattle will no longer require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. In an interview with Q13's Brandi Kruse, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan discusses King County's indoor vaccine mandate. SEATTLE - Seattle and King County Thursday announced an indoor vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues. 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. The performing arts industry has been devastated by this pandemic. 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. Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. ", "Seattle was the first region in the country to feel the devastating effects of the COVID-19 virus, and we innovated and brought nation-leading testing and vaccination sites to our residents. Vaccine verification for large events is no longer required statewide. other official immunization record from within or outside the United States, including from your health care provider. 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. After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy. A negative Covid-19 test from within 72 hours will also be accepted. Vaccinations are free and health insurance is not required. 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, said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health Seattle & King County. 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. Vaccine mandate for King County 27 Oct 2021, 5:52 am Save The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. Vaccine verification was a win-win: our businesses got to keep their staff on payroll and keep their doors open, while prioritizing safety. State employees and workers in private health care and long-term care settings will have until October 18 to be fully vaccinated. That means face masks are coming off for all who want to do so in most places starting June 29. Two lawmakers in Washington state want the state and local governments to bring back employees who were fired because they didn't comply with COVID-19 pandemic vaccine mandates. 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. The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. 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. It's the right thing to do for our workers, our customers, our economy, and the health and vitality of our city. 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. . If you have a complaint and wish to file a grievance, or have a question about possible discrimination, please contact the King County Civil Rights Program at civil-rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov; 206-263-2446; TTY Relay 7-1-1; or 401 5th Ave, Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98104. 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. Executive Dow. We announced the vaccination verification policy in anticipation of a fall and winter surge in cases. 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.

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