SEATTLE — King County officials announced Thursday that they will require proof of vaccination or test negative for COVID-19 to participate in major outdoor public events and all indoor and outdoor recreational activities.
This requirement applies to outdoor public events of 500 people or more, and all indoor and corporate events, such as live music, performing arts, gyms, restaurants, bars, professional and team sports, conferences, and conventions.
Department of Health Health Order – Seattle County Health Officer and King Dr. Jeff Duchenne takes effect October 25 for outdoor and most indoor leisure and entertainment activities, and effective December 6 for restaurants with 12 seats or less.
The authorization does not apply to outdoor dining, or customers who pick up or place orders that are not primarily used as a restaurant, such as supermarkets.
The application is not expected to be permanent and will be reviewed for continuing need six months after the start date of October 25.
“Our response to COVID-19 must continue to adapt to the challenging and changing realities of this pandemic. Delta virus is highly contagious, airborne, causing serious illness and putting a lot of pressure on our hospitals and health care providers,” Duchenne said. Validation will help King County in preventing infections, hospitalizations and deaths, protecting our healthcare system and providing safer spaces for the public and staff.”
It is up to companies to screen customers for evidence of vaccination or negative test results.
Various forms of proof of vaccination are permitted under the warrant, including:
- CDC COVID-19 vaccination card or photocopy of the card.
- Printed certificate or QR code (available at the end of September) from MyIRMobile.com.
- Another official immunization record from within or outside the United States, including from your health care provider. Photo or copy of the card is acceptable.
The order defines complete vaccination as two weeks after a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, two weeks after one dose of Johnson & Johnson, or two weeks after completing another approved vaccine.
Those who have not been vaccinated must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or a negative rapid test result from a test provider completed on-site at an event or business immediately prior to entry in the past 72 hours.
Children under 12, who are not eligible for vaccination, are not required to take an event or company entry test.
County officials said nearly 300,000 people living in King County are eligible but not yet vaccinated.
Anyone who needs COVID-19 vaccines can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a location in their area.
For assistance obtaining vaccine information, call the Washington State Vaccine Helpline at 833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357) or email [email protected]
© Cox Media Group 2021
