Washington State Reopening

Many businesses in Washington state are now able to open at full capacity and have fewer requirements to follow to protect employees from COVID-19. L&I has provided the following requirements and guidelines.

Requirements for Employers

• Ensure unvaccinated employees wear a mask while working indoors.

• Verify vaccination status before lifting employee mask requirements and be able to show the process used for verification.

• Keep employees with possible or confirmed cases of COVID-19 from working around others.

• Provide handwashing facilities and supplies.

• Train employees to recognize and respond to workplace hazards, including COVID-19.

• Assess recognized hazards, including COVID-19, as part of the ongoing requirement to provide a safe and healthful workplace and, where appropriate, take additional steps to protect unvaccinated employees.

• Notify employees in writing within one business day if someone they had close contact with tests positive for COVID-19 (without disclosing the person’s identity).*

• Report COVID-19 outbreaks of 10 or more employees at workplaces or worksites with more than 50 employees to L&I within 24 hours.*

Masks and Face Coverings

• Employers must provide cloth face coverings or a more protective mask to employees, free of charge, when use of a mask is required.

• Although fully vaccinated employees are no longer required to wear a face covering, an employer may still require or encourage mask use.

• Employees have the right to wear a mask or other protective equipment, regardless of their vaccination status, as long as it doesn’t create safety issues.

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:

• Vaccine card or photo of vaccine card.

• Documentation from a health care provider.

• State immunization information system record.

• A hard copy or electronically signed self-attestation from the employee.

When implementing a verification process, employers should consider other laws that may apply.

Industries where masks or respirators are still required for all workers

• Health care (long-term care, doctor’s offices, hospitals)

• Public transportation (aircraft, trains, buses, road vehicles)

• K-12 schools, childcare facilities and day camps in locations where children are present or expected to be present

• Correctional facilities

• Homeless shelters