Updates
On June 11, Governor Inslee announced more details on what COVID mitigation measures will remain in place after the state’s economy fully reopens June 30 or earlier.

• Industries may return to usual operations at that time – with one caveat: the current applicable masking guidance will still be required.
• There will be capacity restrictions for large indoor event venues, and there will be certain COVID mitigation measures going on in schools and universities.
• Indoor venues that can accommodate 10,000 or more people will be restricted to 75% capacity after the state lifts most COVID restrictions. The guidance will not require physical distancing, but attendees must follow the current masking requirements. The governor said the state will reevaluate this restriction at the end of July.

Latest Updates

On May 13, 2021, Governor Inslee announced that the state will reopen on June 30 (or earlier if 70% or more of Washingtonians over age 16 get their first vaccine dose), and that all counties in Washington will move to Phase 3 from May 18 until June 30. Read the article here.

What is Healthy Washington?

Healthy Washington is the phased reopening plan for Washington state. The plan took effect on January 11, 2021. On March 11, 2021, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that the plan will transition from a regional approach to a county-by-county evaluation process.

How do I know which phase I am in?

King County entered Phase 3 on March 22, 2021.

When can a county move to another phase?

Certain metrics and thresholds help determine if it is safe for a county to enter into a new phase of reopening. Counties will be individually evaluated every three weeks.

For a overview of the metrics used for measuring a county’s progress, visit https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/roadmap-recovery-metrics.

Which activities are allowed in Phase 3?

Phase 3 allows for additional indoor activities, including dining, indoor entertainment establishments (such as aquariums, theaters, museums) and more at maximum 50% capacity (400 people max).

Updated industry guidelines included below. For a complete list of industries, visit the Governor’s website.

The following business activities must adhere to the occupancy and operation requirements outlined for their region’s Healthy Washington phase:

• Spectator Events – Updated May 13
• Religious and Faith-Based Organizations – Updated May 13
• Professional Services – Updated March 19
• Personal Services – Updated March 19
• Eating and Drinking Establishments – Updated March 17
• Weddings, Funerals and Events – Updated May 24
• Fitness and Training – Updated March 26
• Outdoor Recreation – Updated March 23
• Water Recreation – Updated March 23
• Sporting Activities – Updated May 19
  • Sporting Activities FAQ – Updated March 24
• Racing: non-motorized and motorized – Updated April 19
• Golf – Updated March 18
• Indoor Entertainment – Updated March 24
• Bowling – Updated March 18
• Card Rooms – Updated March 18
• Movie Theaters – Updated March 19
• Museums – Updated March 19

Outdoor Entertainment Establishments​

• Drive-In Theaters and Events – Updated March 23
• Zoos and Aquariums – Updated March 18

Additional Industry Requirements​

• Agricultural Industry – Updated May 7
  • Agricultural Industry Safety Plan Interpretive Guidance – Updated May 7
• Agricultural Events – Updated March 19
• Agritourism – Updated March 19
• Car Washes
• Construction – Updated April 21
• Cruises – Updated May 13
• Domestic Services
• Fairs and Special Events – Updated April 26
• In Store Retail – Updated March 17
• Libraries – Updated May 19
  • WA Talking Book and Braille Library
• Manufacturing
• Miscellaneous Venues – Updated May 19
• Motion Picture Industry
• Outdoor Maintenance/Landscaping
• Pet Grooming
• Professional Photography– Updated March 19
• Real Estate – Updated March 17
• Theater and Performing Arts – Updated April 21
• Transportation
• Vehicle and Vessel Sales
• Workforce Education Programs

For additional industry-specific safety practices, including those for Farm and Agricultural Workers, Food Workers and Establishments, schools, healthcare providers, and others, visit the Department of Health’s Resources and Recommendations Page.

On May 20, 2021 per Public Health – Seattle & King County, all King County residents, fully vaccinated or not, are strongly encouraged to continue wearing masks in indoor public areas. Directive to remain in effect until 70% or more of adults 16 years and older are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While there are different state requirements for unvaccinated and fully vaccinated individuals, businesses are reminded that requiring masks is the safest and simplest way to protect their employees, customers, and community. A summary of the indoor mask directive is available in over 30 languages here.

• June 9, 2021: Guidance for Business: Indoor Mask Directive flyer (PDF)

Eastside Vaccination Sites

• King County Vaccination Partnership Redmond Pre-registration required. Located at Microsoft Bldg. 33
• Snoqualmie Tribe Vaccine Partnership Available to all individuals eligible to receive the vaccine

Interpretation Needs

If you need language interpretation or online help, the following hotlines are available. State your preferred language when connected:

• WA State COVID-19 Assistance hotline: 1-800-525-0127 or 1-888-856-5816 (then press #), 6 a.m.-10 p.m. (Monday), 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (Tuesday-Sunday)
• King County COVID-19 Call Center: 206-477-3977, 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
  For telephone-to-text relay service, dial: 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. For tactile interpretation, contact: http://seattledbsc.org/

Additional Sites in King County

• Complete this form to be notified of City of Seattle vaccination appointment opportunities (open to all King County residents age 16+)
• In-home vaccinations through Public Health Seattle & King County are available for individuals in King County unable to leave their homes
• Vaccine Locator (Washington State Department of Health)

Messaging tips, FAQs, videos, and other resources (Public Health-Seattle & King County and Ad Council)

• Public Health Toolkit
• Black Community Toolkit
• Hispanic Community Toolkit
• Black Faith Toolkit
• Hispanic Faith Community Toolkit
• Corporation/Employer Toolkit
• Vaccination Toolkits from the CDC for educating communities on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines (PDF)

COVID-19 Vaccines Toolkit for Businesses and Employers (Washington State)
This toolkit is for employers interested in helping their staff get vaccinated against COVID-19, and contains tips and suggestions for hosting a clinic through local partner organizations, or encouraging vaccination offsite in the community.

COVID-19 Community Vaccination Event Planning workbooks (King County)
These workbooks aim to assist your organization with planning a Community Vaccination Event at a large, indoor space where people can walk up and get vaccinated. There are two versions—one focused on employers and businesses and one focused on community-based organizations and faith-based organizations.

• Workbook for businesses and large employers (PDF)
• Workbook for community-based and faith-based organizations(PDF)

• Potentially exposed employees who have symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and follow the steps laid out here by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Support and guidance for workers during COVID-19 available here (Public Health – Seattle & King County)

• Resources for changing building operations, including ventilating (ASHARE)

• Reopening Toolkit (King County) – All the materials you need to print for reference and to display, to help reopen and operate your business safely. Also available in Spanish.

• Construction Toolkit (Master Builders Association) – Requirements to Safely Restart all construction activity

• Back to Work Toolkit (Madrona Ventures) – Tools, templates, checklists and guides that fit the practical needs of many company leaders –from HR to CEO to Facilities – to build a safe work plan for getting back to the physical workplace.

• Reopening Checklists (City of Seattle) – Includes checklists for reopening your business, financial resources, printable signage and more for multiple industries (multiple languages). Toolkits are not intended to provide public health guidance, but are meant to distill information from the state and county and make reopening guidance more accessible (multiple languages).

• Resource Guide for Employers (Business Health Trust)