Governor's Office COVID-19 Updates
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Timmons, Joe (GOV)
1:15 PM (33 minutes ago)
Good afternoon,
Today Governor Inslee issued two proclamations related to Washington’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and facial coverings.
Proclamation 20-25.13 incorporates the new CDC face covering guidance, which generally provides that fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask inside or outside, except in certain locations, including health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, schools, and public transportation.
The proclamation clarifies that business owners may adopt an “honor system” and may assume that any customer who is not wearing a face covering has been fully vaccinated.
The proclamation also clarifies that business owners and local authorities have the option to require that customers wear a face covering, and that local authorities may not prohibit business owners from requiring that their customers wear a face covering.
Additionally, the proclamation addresses the application of this new rule to employees and employers, and requires that employers must obtain proof of vaccination or obtain a self-attestation from the employee, attesting to their fully vaccinated status, before an employee may work at a worksite without wearing a mask.
The proclamation also permits employers to continue to require that employees wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status.
The proclamation includes a link to additional and more detailed employer guidance from the state’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). You can find the proclamation here, L&I’s document here, and additional information in the press release below and online here.
Proclamation 21-08 includes new worker protections that safeguard employees who wish to get vaccinated, or who are in isolation or quarantine, from adverse action by their employer.
The proclamation also aligns with the CDC recommendation that employers provide flexible options for worker vaccinations and alleviates barriers to vaccine access.
You can find the proclamation here, and additional information in the press release below and online here.
Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable weekend.
Joe
Joe Timmons
Northwest Washington Regional Representative | Office of Governor Jay Inslee
