Updated COVID-19 Guidance in the Workplace

East Wenatchee, WA – On May 21, Governor Jay Inslee extended Healthy Washington – Roadmap to Recovery 20-25.13 proclamation and updated Safe Workers 21-08 proclamation.

Proclamation 20-25.13 states that businesses may adopt an “honor system” and assume that customers not wearing face coverings are fully vaccinated. However, business owners do have the option to require customers to wear face coverings and local authorities may not prohibit business owners from requiring that their customers wear face coverings.

In addition, employers must require proof of vaccination or self-attestation by the employee before they are allowed to work without wearing a face covering. However, employers may still require employees to wear a face covering regardless of their vaccination status. Read the complete Updated COVID-19 Facial Covering Guidance for Employers and Businesses or Workplace Safety and Health Guidance from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I directives 1.70 and 11.80).

Proclamation 21-08 protects workers who wish to get vaccinated, or who are in isolation or quarantine, from adverse action by their employer and recommends that employers provide flexible options for worker vaccinations.

Chelan-Douglas Health District and the Board of Health support local business owners’ decision on face coverings and asks that residents honor their systems and respect the decisions of local businesses owners moving forward.

Masking is still required in health care settings, long term care facilities, schools, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and public transportation.

To stay informed on the local COVID-19 response, visit www.cdhd.wa.gov and follow CDHD on Facebook and Twitter.