We must act now and act boldly to change the trajectory of the virus and keep our communities safe. 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. The Delta variant is more than twice as contagious as the original COVID-19, which makes increasing vaccination rates even more important to slowing disease spread and protecting people from hospitalization and death. 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. Contact King County COVID-19 Business and Community Information by submitting a written inquiry or report online. 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. No appointment needed: most pharmacies, clinics, and Public Health centers now offer drop-in COVID-19 vaccination. 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. Time is running out on free COVID tests and vaccines; what then? 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 ending vaccination verification policy on March 1 as new Amanda Zhou covers afternoon breaking news and enterprise for The Seattle Times. 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. 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. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. RELATED: Washington state troopers, other workers sue over vaccine mandate. At a news . Compare vaccine types: Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines (WA Dept. Following the record-breaking Omicron surge, were have seen a steady reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and hospital capacity is improving. 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. Ce bouton affiche le type de recherche actuellement slectionn. KING COUNTY, Wash. - Gov. "But Seattle is not immune to the surge in cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant. For COVID-19 information and resources visit kingcounty.gov/covid. 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. Request an accommodation If you have a disability and need accommodation, email publichealthaccommodations@kingcounty.gov. Businesses and organizations may still choose to implement their own vaccine verification policies. 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. After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy. Jay Inslee made the announcement on Feb. 28. 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. 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. Seattle, WA 98104 High levels of preventable COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and increased deaths driven by the highly contagious delta variant prompted the order. 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. The Fil-Am-owned Knee High Stocking and Jeepney, has already implemented its own vaccine mandate since August. The Citys actions then and now have always been informed by the science of the pandemic and recommendations of public health officials an approach based on data and dedicated to saving lives. Vaccine verification was a win-win: our businesses got to keep their staff on payroll and keep their doors open, while prioritizing safety. Comments made at a city . Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537, Main phone: 206-263-9600 Multiple King County business owners and major sports teams had already implemented their own vaccination verification policies. 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. "For the people who say I just dont want it well then youre making a choice. But the overall mandate is temporary and will be re-evaluated for a possible extension in April 2022. TTY: Relay: 711 To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. 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. Employees who refuse to get vaccinated would face losing their jobs, Gov. Here's the latest mask and COVID vaccine requirements in WA and King County 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 . Officials say more than 98% of King County's 15,000 employeesand 4,000 hired sinceprovided proof of vaccination, while less than 2% were . Learn more about eligibility and getting vaccinated in King County. Isolation and quarantine requests All Rights Reserved. The mandate will also apply to outdoor events with more than 500 people in attendance. 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. 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. King County reaches deal with 'majority' of unions on vaccine mandate Port of Seattle on LinkedIn: Lukas Crippen 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. I thought it was easier. Lukas Crippen joined the Port of Seattle Fire Department nine years ago and has gained leadership experience along the way. 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 number of new cases of COVID are leading to far too much suffering. Washington State sets vaccine mandate for - The New York Times WA's COVID state of emergency will lift on Oct. 31, Inslee says Washington state lawmakers push to rehire government workers fired over Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County. KUOW - Final statewide masking mandate to end in WA Youre making a choice that by doing that you cant participate in things that are really important to society.". I am not covering everything about this mandate, but it is easy to look up if you have questions. Seattle Times staff reporters Elise Takahama and Joseph OSullivan contributed to this report. 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. Filipino-American business owners in the county expressed mixed reactions to the said directive. 150 businesses in King County receive complaints over not complying 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. Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines continues to be critical for preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death.