Vaccine Verification Rules End Next Month In King County

SEATTLE — King County is winding down its rules requiring restaurants, venues and certain businesses to check the vaccination status of their patrons before they can participate in a variety of public activities, including indoor dining at bars and restaurants and attending concerts, shows and large outdoor events.

The county's vaccine verification program took effect in October, requiring proof of full vaccination or a recent negative test before entry to indoor entertainment and recreational establishments and large outdoor events with 500 or more people in attendance.

In a news conference Wednesday, King County officials said strong vaccination rates among the population, along with sharp declines in cases and hospitalizations, made it possible to roll back the policy on March 1. King County Executive Dow Constantine's office said businesses and venues will have the option to continue vaccination verification checks voluntarily.

"From the beginning of this pandemic, our aim has been to protect the health of our community and save lives," Constantine said. "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. We are moving in the right direction, and can continue taking additional steps toward recovery."

The state's most populous county announced the vaccine verification rules in September and implemented them on Oct. 25, in the wake of the delta surge and as a precaution heading into the fall and winter months. The requirement was designed to be temporary, and officials at the time said they intended to revisit the need for the rules within six months.

Dr. Jeff Duchin, King County's health officer, said Wednesday that better vaccination rates and the progress made since the omicron peak, including a rapidly decreasing number of cases and hospitalizations since mid-January, allowed the county to safely roll back the public health order by next month.

"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," Duchin said. "Following the record-breaking omicron surge, we've seen a steady reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and hospital capacity is improving. 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."

The health officer noted that, while one precautionary measure is on its way out, residents should still keep up other recommended public health precautions while COVID-19 metrics continue to decline from their record peaks.

"Although our mandatory vaccine verification requirement is ending, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain elevated and layered COVID-19 prevention remain important," Duchin said. "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 areas."

More public employees will return to the office in March

During the Wednesday news conference, Constantine and Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell also announced that March would mark the beginning of a gradual transition back to in-office work for thousands of public employees working for the city and county.

"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," Harrell said. "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 and equitable, community-focused recovery."

Constantine said next month would not mean the "sudden end to telecommuting," but would mark the beginning of the county's "Future of Work" plan, which will help determine what roles should be primarily in-person, remote or hybrid.

In Seattle, Harrell said more than 5,000 employees who have been working remotely for nearly two years would be gradually brought back to city offices based on need while officials evaluate a final plan.

Watch the full Wednesday announcement below: