OLYMPIA (June 30, 2021) — Effective today, Gov. Jay Inslee has lifted most of the COVID-19 restrictions on individuals and businesses in place since March 2020 as the state begins to return to normal capacity and operations.
“Because folks listened to science and stayed home to stay healthy, wore masks and got vaccinated, we can now safely fully re-open our state’s economy and cultural centers after 15 long months,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “It hasn’t been easy, but I’m proud of how Washingtonians came together, persevered and sacrificed to fight this virus, and now we’re finally in a place that is safe enough to end this chapter.”
“Even though Wednesday marks a new stage in our continued efforts to defeat this pandemic, we still have work to do. Continued success depends on everyone getting vaccinated and encouraging any loved one who has not yet received this lifesaving vaccine to do so, and quickly,” he added. “Let’s keep it up, Washington – get vaccinated and stay safe.”
ALSO at The Stand (June 16) — Union members can do this: Get vaccinated! — Ready to get vaccinated? Visit Washington state’s Vaccine Locator to find vaccine appointments near you.
Here is the latest workplace safety guidance from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. (Additional L&I guidance is being reviewed and updated.)
Businesses in Washington state are now able to open at full capacity and have fewer requirements to follow to protect employees from COVID-19.
Requirements for Employers
* Required by the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA) passed by the Legislature earlier this year.
Industries Where Masks and Respirators Are Still Required for All Workers
Masks and Face Coverings
Verifying Worker Vaccination Status
Employers must be able to show the process used to verify employee vaccination status. However, they do not need to keep an actual copy of the employee’s vaccination records.
Acceptable types of verification include:
When implementing a verification process, employers should consider other laws that may apply.
Guidance for Protecting Unvaccinated Workers
The following information is advisory and intended to help employers provide a safe and healthy workplace. However, there may be specific requirements that must be followed for the industries listed in the box above.
Reasonable Accommodation and Discrimination
Employers must ensure workplaces remain safe and healthy for all, including employees with medical issues or disabilities (see the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA).
Additionally, HELSA protects high-risk employees from being discharged, permanently replaced, or discriminated against in the workplace for seeking accommodation from exposure to an infectious or contagious disease during a public health emergency. HELSA is administered by L&I and currently applies to accommodations related to COVID-19.
Resources
L&I’s COVID-19 guidance includes resources from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Department of Health (DOH) and U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration: www.Lni.wa.gov/CovidSafety
DOH Secretary of Health Order.
Upon request, foreign language support and formats for persons with disabilities are available. Call 1-800-547-8367. TDD users, call 711.
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