Inslee: New Vaccine Mandate Will Apply To Large Events

OLYMPIA, WA — Gov. Jay Inslee has announced a new vaccination mandate for the state of Washington, which will require that attendees heading to large events present proof of vaccination or a negative, recent COVID test before they can be allowed inside.

At a news conference Thursday announcing his new vaccine verification requirement, Inslee said Washington could not afford another winter wave of COVID-19 infections, and that tamping down on superspreader events and boosting vaccination rates would be key to long-term recovery.

"We will not allow another wave to shut down our schools or our businesses," Inslee said. "We are committed to continuing these diligent efforts."

The governor's mandate will go into effect Nov. 15. When it does, large events will need to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test that was taken within the last 72 hours for all attendees 12 or older. The mandate defines large events as indoor events with more than 1,000 or more attendees, or outdoor events with more than 10,000.

"This applies to ticketed or registered events that have defined entrances, like conventions, concerts, sporting events, fairs that have defined entrances, theme parks, and more," Inslee said.

Shopping malls, museums, grocery stores and large businesses open to the public as part of their daily operation are exempt from the order. School events that occur on school property are also exempt.

Vaccines can be verified through several means, including a CDC vaccination card, a photo of that card, a printed certificate or screenshot from MyIRMobile.com, or an immunization record from a health care provider. Negative COVID tests can be used to gain entrance to large events, if the patient presents the records provided by the laboratory or health care provider.

"This is another step in the ongoing battle against this disease, we believe it is an important one," Inslee said. "It can help incentivize people to decide to get vaccinated, and avoid the headache of having to get a test."

Inslee's announcement follows a similar mandate announced in King County last month, which goes into effect in that county on Oct. 25. King County's mandate is even stricter than Inslee's in that it applies to outdoor events with just 500 people or more, and all public indoor gatherings.

Vaccine Requirement Deadline Will Not Be Extended

At the same conference, the governor also confirmed Washington would not be extending the deadline for state employees to get vaccinated.

"People have had 10 weeks to get vaccinated, we've had plenty of opportunity and access," the governor said.

Under that mandate, state employees have until Monday to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. When the governor first announced the mandate this summer, only 48 percent of state employees were vaccinated. Now, the governor says over 90 percent are, 91.7 percent including workers with approved religious or medical exemptions to the order.

Though the mandate had to clear some hurdles, including a lawsuit from state employees that has since been resolved, the governor said it was ultimately a "remarkable" success, pushing employees to get vaccinated without endangering government operations.

At Thursday's conference, Inslee expressed optimism that more state employees would confirm their vaccination status over the weekend, but said that, if they don't, the state will still manage without them.

"We're going to keep operating just fine," Inslee said.

According to the governor, all essential services will be preserved, and even if the remaining 8.3 percent of state employees leave their positions, agencies will adapt through slight operational changes. And as for the employees who did not get vaccinated and did not receive an exemption, the governor seemed content to let them go.

"Some individuals who choose to walk away from their state employment, we want them to know that we have appreciated their service to date, and we wish them well," Inslee said.