Following the lead of many different states, Washington Governor Jay Inslee has introduced that the state is transferring right into a much less restrictive part of the COVID-19 response.
New Mask-Free Zones
Inslee has amended his “Washington Ready” Proclamation (20-25.18) to right away permit all outside employees to go mask-free. Fully vaccinated employees can go with out masks indoors if they’re in areas the place no prospects, volunteers, guests, or non-employees are current.
Beginning March 21, 2022, the state will not mandate face coverings indoors in companies, grocery shops, retail institutions, eating places, bars, gyms, leisure facilities, indoor athletic amenities, colleges, childcare amenities, libraries, or homes of worship. However, personal companies can nonetheless select to require staff, prospects, or residents to put on face coverings.
The Secretary of Health additionally amended its statewide facemask order (Order 20-03.7) to right away elevate the masks requirement for outside occasions or gatherings attended by no less than 500 individuals.
Places Where Masking Must Continue
Even after March 21, 2022, the overall masks requirement will proceed in healthcare settings (reminiscent of hospitals, outpatient amenities, and dental workplaces), long-term care settings, public transit, taxis, rideshare automobiles, and correctional amenities. Federal legislation nonetheless requires face coverings in sure settings, reminiscent of public transportation and faculty buses.
Unvaccinated employees additionally should proceed to put on masks indoors at jobsites till additional discover.
Right to Mask
As an added measure, Inslee amended Proclamation 21.08-1 (Safe Workers) to guard staff from self-discipline for selecting to put on a face protecting at work. This is per an analogous legislation, RCW 49.17.485(2), handed in 2021, which protects a employee’s proper to put on a face protecting and different private protecting gear throughout a public well being emergency.
Vaccination Verifications
Beginning March 1, 2022, statewide vaccine verification for giant occasions will not be required. No different modifications to state vaccination guidelines have been introduced.
King County (which incorporates Seattle) introduced that, starting March 1, its eating places, bars, theaters, and gymnasiums will not be required to verify the vaccination standing of their patrons. Businesses might be free to impose their very own vaccination necessities in the event that they select, however the countywide requirement will disappear. The similar is true for outside occasions in King County with greater than 500 individuals, like live shows and sporting occasions.
All violations of state Proclamations are topic to legal penalties (as is the case with the entire governor’s latest Proclamations).
Reopening orders comprise in depth necessities creating compliance points that may fluctuate considerably relying on the precise state or native jurisdiction. Jackson Lewis attorneys are intently monitoring updates and modifications to authorized necessities and steerage and can be found to assist employers weed by means of the complexities concerned with state-specific or multistate-compliant plans.