Faced with the problems of overcrowding in hospitals, severe infection rates, and aggressiveness of the new COVID-19 variant, the King County Health Department will require vaccination certificates to be provided in most commercial public gathering places such as bars and restaurants in Seattle and other areas of the county.
King County Executive Dow Constantin said in a statement: “We are at a critical juncture in this pandemic, with high numbers of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and we are not sure what will happen after the Delta variant. What.” “Vaccination is our best barrier against this deadly virus. More than 85% of Jin County residents have at least the first dose of vaccine. Vaccine verification will help ensure people are safe and keep businesses open.”
The new requirements were announced on Thursday afternoon. Starting from October 25th, companies will be required to check the status of vaccination at the following locations:
- Outdoor activities with 500 people or more, such as the University of Washington, Seahawks, Sounders games or concerts;
- Indoor entertainment activities such as sports, performing arts, museums, theaters, live music, gyms and conferences;
- Restaurant and bar. No vaccination certificate is required for outdoor dining and takeaway.
According to the new regulations, restaurants and bars with less than 12 seats must start screenings on December 6.
Constantine quoted from Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington Indicate that the customer Staff in restaurants and bars conduct vaccine screening And the gym can prevent between 17,900 and 75,900 infections; 421 to 1,760 people were hospitalized; more than 63 to 257 people died locally Six months.
“But Seattle is not immune to the surge in cases and hospitalizations caused by the Delta mutation. We must act now — and boldly — to change the trajectory of the virus and ensure the safety of our community,” Constantine said.
Avout Vanderwerf, owner of Shorty’s Pinball Bar in Belltown and The Meyer in Pioneer Square, said he is pleased to see vaccination screening becoming commonplace—at least in neighboring areas. “I think this is a good plan,” he said. “On the one hand, we are already doing this. With universal authorization, I will have more customers.”