Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County. FAX: 206-296-0194, Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health Seattle & King County, Heather Likins, a registered nurse and member of the Washington State Nurses Association, Cassie Sauer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Washington State Hospital Association, Dr. Christopher Murray, Director, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Dr. John Lynch, Medical Director, Harborview Medical Center Infection Prevention and Control; 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. 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. Vaccine verification for large events is no longer required statewide. Indoor entertainment and recreational events or establishments such as professional and collegiate sports, entertainment, performing arts, museums, theatre, live music, gyms, and conferences/conventions. 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. I am not covering everything about this mandate, but it is easy to look up if you have questions. Public health highly recommends following the current vaccination guidance which includes a bivalent booster dose for the best protection. The changes come as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations fueled by omicron are declining. 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. 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. But the overall mandate is temporary and will be re-evaluated for a possible extension in April 2022. Businesses are free to impose their own vaccine requirements, but there is no countywide requirement. 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. The vaccine verification policy in King County will no longer be in effect as of March 1. Many public-facing customer service locations will still temporarily operate remotely, and more details on their reopening will be shared at a later date. 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. 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. 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. The latest setting on King County's dial is a vaccine mandate to enter restaurants, bars, and non-essential businesses. 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. To enter a restaurant you must now show proof of vaccination. King County reports losing about 2% of its workforce and the city of Seattle lost about 1% of workers who refused the vaccine. People 12 years old and up must show proof that they are fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID test taken. 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. 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. To enter a restaurant you must now show proof of vaccination. Public Health continues to encourage everyone to be fully vaccinated and to be prudent about the use of masks in indoor settings.. Charge an office visit or other fee to the recipient if the only service provided is a COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccination verification policy will no longer be in effect as of March 1. 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. Starting February 6, the King County Executive terminated Executive Order ACO-8-28-EO pertaining to the vaccination mandate for contractors. This order keeps the arts on the path to recovery, while mitigating the most serious health and safety risks for our patrons and their families, Public Health Media Team, PHPIO@kingcounty.gov, Kristin Elia, Executive Office, 206-477-8209, Main phone: 206-263-9600 Vaccine mandate for King County 27 Oct 2021, 5:52 am Save The new vaccine mandate went into effect yesterday, October 25. At this stage in the pandemic, we have higher levels of immunity from vaccination and from many people having had COVID-19 infections. With new COVID-19 cases and hospitalization decreasing, and over 87% of King County residents over age 12 fully vaccinated, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced Public Health Seattle & King County is lifting the local health order requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry into indoor recreational settings, or outdoor events. The case was filed . After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy. Seek appropriate reimbursement from the recipients plan or program (example: private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid) for a vaccine administration fee. How to tackle that choice, How to navigate the COVID pandemic in the Seattle area: resources on masks, tests, vaccines and more, At-home COVID tests and omicron: What you need to know, Mapping the pandemics spread across Washington. Enter your zip code in Washington's Vaccine Locator tool or check our Getting Vaccinated page to find a vaccination site near you. COVID-19 vaccine is free and no insurance required. 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. That work is why we have one of the highest vaccination rates and the lowest cases, hospitalizations, and deaths of any major American city. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. Following the record-breaking Omicron surge, were have seen a steady reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and hospital capacity is improving. Masks are still required statewide on public transit and in health care and congregate living spaces. 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., The vaccine mandate was an effective and necessary tool for protecting the health and safety of City workers and the public we serve, said Mayor Harrell. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Small restaurants, defined as those with seating capacity for fewer than 12 people, will phase into the mandate on December 6. 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. 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. Today our experts advise that immunity has reached a level that allows these requirements to be relaxed, said Executive Constantine. 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 . Only children under 12 are exempted from the 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. 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. To learn more about this policy change, read our blog post. No appointment needed: most pharmacies, clinics, and Public Health centers now offer drop-in COVID-19 vaccination. TTY: Relay: 711 Immunization guidelines and resources for King County. Press inquiries | 360.902.4136, Vaccine Mandate Frequently Asked Questions, Governor's Distinguished Managers Association, Governors Task Force on Independent Investigations of Police Use of Force, Request a Ceremonial Proclamation, Greeting or Letter. We are moving in the right direction, and can continue taking additional steps toward recovery, said King County Executive Dow Constantine. 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. Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe. Jay Inslee made the announcement on Feb. 28. 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. 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. In-person customer service counters will continue to remain open. 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. After a year-and-a-half of COVID-19 controlling and taking away lives, vaccines are the only way to stop this pandemic, prevent more dangerous strains from developing, restore our freedoms and our safety, and return our society to normalcy. SEATTLE Dozens of Washington state workers have filed a lawsuit against Gov. 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Say your preferred language when connected. 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. I thought it was easier. 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. 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. We must act now and act boldly to change the trajectory of the virus and keep our communities safe. Chase Gallagher, Executive Office, 206-263-8537, Main phone: 206-263-9600 of Health, PDF). The requirement applies to state workers, regardless of teleworking status. For Chris Lacayan, another Filipino business owner, he thinks the mandate is too much. 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. It's the right thing to do for our workers, our customers, our economy, and the health and vitality of our city. The last mandate in Washington, an order requiring masks in health care and correctional facilities, is coming to an end. FAX: 206-296-0194. These steps will be important to protect against both current and future COVID-19 surges. 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. More people are now vaccinated and protected against severe COVID-19. But not everyone is for the new mandate. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. 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. Ce bouton affiche le type de recherche actuellement slectionn. Say your preferred language when connected. He was recently promoted from 2023 ABS-CBN Corporation. 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. Employers will still be required to tell workers when there is a suspected or confirmed coronavirus case. BRIER, Wash. The City of Brier is seeing more people apply for it's police department because it doesn't have a vaccine mandate. Before supporting a recommendation to lift the employee vaccine mandate, Public Health officials wanted to understand the impacts of a potential winter surge in 2022 2023. 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. 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. There's just no way around it. These workers live in every community in our state, working together and with the public every day to deliver services, Inslee said. COVID-19 vaccine verification requirements for most businesses in King County have been in effect since October of 2021. As a critical care nurse here in Seattle, I can tell you that our health care system has reached its breaking point. Vaccinations are free and health insurance is not required. Children . For Pamela Carpio, the owner of Knee High Stocking and Jeepney, she thinks that it is the right thing to do. 401 Fifth Ave, 3rd Floor For King County employees, this means a gradual transition of the nearly 5,000 employees who have been mostly working remotely over the last two years, not a sudden end to telecommuting. We announced the vaccination verification policy in anticipation of a fall and winter surge in cases. 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. When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. The Moderna vaccine is approved for anyone age 6 months to 5 years or age 18 and over. The countys order includes exceptions for take-out orders, outdoor dining, and grocery stores. Local health jurisdictions, some school districts, and individual businesses may still choose to require masks. Treatments such as Paxlovid antiviral treatment are available for people who get infected and may be at higher risk.
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