Public Health – Seattle & King County has issued masking guidelines and requirements in a new, handy flyer based on questions and concerns about masks and social distancing requirements from business owners and managers like you.
This flyer makes it easy to determine what masking and distancing practices are required per updated guidance from our state’s Department of Labor and Industries, and what is recommended per King County’s Local Health Officer Directive, which strongly urges businesses to continue for all employees and customers in indoor settings.
L&I notes that employers may still require mask use if you choose, and with some exceptions, employers must allow employees to wear a mask or other protective equipment if they choose to, regardless of vaccination status.
If you are a King County employer who has decided to allow fully vaccinated employees and customers to go without masks, your options include:
1. Verify the vaccination status of everyone entering the space. Acceptable forms of vaccination documentation include:
- CDC vaccination card
- A photo of the card
- Documentation from a healthcare provider
- Documentation from the state immunization information system
Evidence of this verification system must be available to L&I upon request. Verifying employee vaccination status is a requirement from L&I if businesses allow employees to work without masks.
2. Create a system or process to monitor that unvaccinated people continue to wear a mask. This might look like:
- Creating vaccinated-specific sections within the building, with a minimum of 6 feet distance from unvaccinated sections
- Designating certain times of the day when masks are required for all customers and other times specifically for fully vaccinated customers who may not be required
3. People who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must wear a mask and maintain physical distancing at all times.
The Local Health Officer Directive will remain in effect until King County confirms that 70% of residents age 16 and older are fully vaccinated in King County. Once this is achieved, businesses will still be required to follow Department of Health and Labor & Industries mask requirements. Learn more about DOH Face Covering Guidance for businesses.
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