On May 21, Gov. Jay Inslee’s office released new guidance for masks and vaccines.
The new guidance for employees includes:
- Businesses may require vaccination as a condition of employment, unless doing so would be otherwise prohibited by state or federal law (EEOC, ADA, medical exemptions, etc.)
- Employers may choose to continue masking and social distancing their employees, regardless of the employees’ vaccination status
- Fully vaccinated employees may remove their facial coverings and discontinue social distancing if they have been fully vaccinated
Evidence of vaccination status can be:
- Vaccination cards or records—The employer is not required to make a copy
- Attestation—The employee can sign a document attesting that they are fully vaccinated. Employers should keep the document and present to L&I upon request
- Log system—Employers may keep a logbook of the employee’s name and the method the employer used to confirm the employee’s status and present to L&I upon request.
For customers or guests:
- Customers or guests are required to wear face coverings if they are not fully vaccinated or otherwise exempt
- Businesses must post signage prominently at every entrance informing guests of mask requirements
- Businesses may choose to assume a customer is fully vaccinated if they are not wearing a face covering and refrain from asking
- Businesses may choose to ask a mask-free customer if they are vaccinated or otherwise exempt from wearing a mask. The business may ask for proof of vaccination status or take the customer’s word for it
- If the customer is not fully vaccinated but otherwise exempt, the business may offer alternative accommodations, such as curbside pickup. They can also allow the customer entry
- If a customer who is not wearing a mask, refuses to state whether they are exempt or declines to provide proof of vaccination status, the business must turn the customer away, unless that poses a danger to staff and your other guests
Click here to read the complete guidance from L&I.