"But Seattle is not immune to the surge in cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta variant. CDC recommends one updated (bivalent) booster dose: There is no booster recommendation for children aged 6 months to 4 years who got the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine primary series. 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. TTY: Relay: 711 Multiple King County business owners and major sports teams had already implemented their own vaccination verification policies. From the beginning of this pandemic, our aim has been to protect the health of our community and save lives. King County Public Health officials said on Tuesday that 70% of residents ages 16 and up had received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson inoculation. 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. WA to end masking requirement in health care, correctional facilities, Fire on Lake City Way in Seattle raises smoke, flooding concerns, One Seattle business is taking a stand against tipping mania, Tacoma woman refusing tuberculosis treatment continues to face arrest, Be bolder to get light rail done, expert panel tells Sound Transit. I am not covering everything about this mandate, but it is easy to look up if you have questions. Learn more about vaccination for youth at kingcounty.gov/vaccine/youth. 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 learn more about this policy change, read our blog post. says. Everyone age 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine. A requirement for vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter higher risk public spaces is a sensible step to get our community back to where we all want to be. After extensive engagement with community partners, small businesses, venues, and hospitals, Seattle is proud to implement a vaccination verification policy. Businesses should continue to support employees in getting vaccinated and staying home when sick. Seattle, King County to end vaccine verification policy March 1 Vaccine verification requirements loosened statewide and in King County on March 1. Masks and Face Coverings | Washington State Department of Health 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. Stay connected withQ13News on all platforms: DOWNLOAD:Q13 News and Weather AppsWATCH:Q13 News LiveSUBSCRIBE:Q13 FOX on YouTubeDAILY BRIEF: Sign Up For Our NewsletterFOLLOW:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram. The requirements are similar to those recently enacted in New York, San Francisco and New Orleans, as well as in Washington states Clallam and Jefferson counties. 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. Businesses should continue to support employees in getting vaccinated and staying home when sick., We are thrilled to hear that recent public health data has encouraged King County leaders to move our community and our businesses into the next phase of the pandemic and prepare for the sunset of vaccine verification, said Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce. So whoever comes in here has to be vaccinated. 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. The order is. He was recently promoted from Current COVID-19 guidance - King County, Washington Too many people, adults and children, are ending up in hospitals across the state and here in our county, threatening to overwhelm the system. 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. King County's Vaccine Verification Rules Start Monday The mandate says those who must now get vaccinated have until Oct. 18 to complete their vaccinations. KUOW - Final statewide masking mandate to end in WA 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. Jay Inslee made the announcement on Feb. 28. CDC recommends the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines over J&J for both initial and booster vaccinations. King County reaches deal with 'majority' of unions on vaccine mandate 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 . Washington will lift the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for health care and education workers, but employers can choose to mandate vaccines if they wish. It is the mission of public servants and those providing health care to serve our fellow Washingtonians. King County drops COVID vaccine requirement for bars, restaurants 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. Vaccination and getting boosters when eligible are the most important tools available to prevent severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection. Beginning March 1, 2022, the vaccine verification requirement will no longer be in effect in King County. Washington's indoor mask mandate which was initially implemented in 2020, then nixed in early 2021, only to be reinstated weeks later is set to lift in most places on March 21. Time is running out on free COVID tests and vaccines; what then? More than 150 restaurants and bars in King County have already implemented some form of vaccine requirement to enter, The Seattle Times reported. Lukas Crippen joined the Port of Seattle Fire Department nine years ago and has gained leadership experience along the way. other official immunization record from within or outside the United States, including from your health care provider. The mandate will also apply to outdoor events with more than 500 people in attendance. After more than twenty months, I desperately want to get back to as close to normal as possible, but we can't get there without reducing the risk for all through vaccination, masking, testing, physical distancing, and ventilation. March 1, 2020. Dismissed for vaccine refusal? The state legislature offers help King. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County. 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. Additionally, King County and the City of Seattle announced their remote employees would begin returning to offices in March. The mask order is the latest in relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in Washington state. 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. Asked whether the mandate would isolate those who are unvaccinated, Durkan said that would be their choice. 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. 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. 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. Washington announces COVID vaccine mandate for state workers, health CDC recommends the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines over J&J for both initial and booster vaccinations. There's just no way around it. Preventing further COVID infections is a powerful way to protect the health care system. The vaccination verification policy will no longer be in effect as of March 1. 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. 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. 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. Hours: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Several jurisdictions have already adopted some form of vaccine verification policy, including New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles County, the State of California, British Columbia in Canada, and Clallam and Jefferson counties in Washington state. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is approved for anyone 6 months and older. Ce bouton affiche le type de recherche actuellement slectionn. STG is proud to support this policy to keep the arts safe for our community. In-person customer service counters will continue to remain open. Local restaurants struggle with loss of business due to King Co vaccine The performing arts industry has been devastated by this pandemic. It will apply to: The order gives the option for a longer preparation period for smaller restaurants and bars with a seating capacity of 12 or less, with an implementation date of December 6. Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines continues to be critical for preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death. The Delta virus is much more contagious, airborne, causes severe illness, and is seriously stressing our hospitals and healthcare providers," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health Seattle & King County. Helping state workers who were fired due to Washington State's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. RELATED: Washington state troopers, other workers sue over vaccine mandate. 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. At a news . 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. 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. 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 That includes medical facilities like hospitals, pharmacies, outpatient and dental facilities, long-term care settings, correctional facilities, taxis and ride-hail vehicles. The changes come as coronavirus cases and hospitalizations fueled by omicron are declining. These workers live in every community in our state, working together and with the public every day to deliver services, Inslee said. Today our experts advise that immunity has reached a level that allows these requirements to be relaxed, said Executive Constantine. The order applies inside restaurants and bars. BRIER, Wash. The City of Brier is seeing more people apply for it's police department because it doesn't have a vaccine mandate. Immune compromised children and adults should also get booster doses when eligible. By June 2020, Gov. Link/share our site at kingcounty.gov/covid/vaccine, Find certified small business contractors and suppliers, Wikang Tagalog/Filipino Tagalog/Filipino, For community and faith-based organizations, Snapshot of the COVID-19 Vaccines (WA Dept. The Moderna vaccine is approved for anyone age 6 months to 5 years or age 18 and over. KUOW - Final statewide masking mandate to end in WA 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. The entire order is not expected to be permanent. King County ending vaccination verification policy on March 1 as new Please note that while many industry sectors such as restaurants, bars, gyms, retails stores and other businesses have returned to normal capacity and operations, individual businesses may choose to maintain restrictions as they deem appropriate for the health and safety of their workers and customers. I am not covering everything about this mandate, but it is easy to look up if you have questions. 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. No matter what lies ahead, the more vaccinated we are as a community, the safer we will be from this dangerous virus. Here's what to know about Washington's new COVID-19 guidelines For Chris Lacayan, another Filipino business owner, he thinks the mandate is too much. Request an accommodation If you have a disability and need accommodation, email publichealthaccommodations@kingcounty.gov. Hospitals are really stretched right now across Washington State. Read the full story on the governor's Medium page. Here's the latest mask and COVID vaccine requirements in WA and King County Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. We applaud King County for requiring vaccinations and encourage other counties to do the same. 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. Public and constituent inquiries | 360.902.4111 Rooted in our shared values of safety and health equity, we will continue to follow this approach as we respond to next steps in the pandemic and continue to advance efforts to ensure a thriving and equitable recovery for all Seattle residents and neighbors. Enter your zip code in Washington's Vaccine Locator tool or check our Getting Vaccinated page to find a vaccination site near you. Throughout the pandemic, King County and the City of Seattle have used the most up-to-date recommendations and expertise from Public Health officials to inform policy decisions to adapt to the conditions and threats from the virus. Inslee announces vaccination requirement for most state - Washington Neve is the Chef at Cafe Lago. 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.