Vaccine verification for restaurants, gyms, and large outdoor events starts Monday

Meghan Walker Ballard

King County’s vaccine verification mandate goes into effect this coming Monday, Oct. 25., requiring proof of vaccination for entry into a number of indoor establishments including restaurants, bars, gyms, and movie theaters.

The proof-of-vaccine requirement also applies to all Seattle community centers, pools, and tennis centers, and to outdoor events with over 500 people.

The vaccine verification extends to everyone age 12 and older; the unvaccinated can provide a negative test result in lieu of the vaccine.

Here’s the full list of establishments in which vaccine verification must be provided:

  • Bars and restaurants with indoor dining*
  • Indoor recreational spaces (such as bowling alleys, recreational game centers, indoor soccer arenas, etc.)
  • Movie theaters, gyms and indoor fitness spaces, indoor performing arts venues, indoor conventions or conferences
  • Outdoor sports or entertainment events with 500+ people
  • Private events, weddings, and parties held at a business (such as a wedding venue, restaurant, or music venue)
  • Wineries and breweries not licensed as restaurant or bars (Required for any customers eating or drinking in a dedicated seating or bar space)

To show proof of vaccination, you can use one of the following:

According to King County, people who are unvaccinated or cannot prove vaccination status will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a testing provider in the last 72 hours.

It’s up to each establishment to check vaccination proof or negative test status; Public Health will be working with various partners to provide technical support and educational materials to businesses and organizations implementing the order.

Public Health says they will be relying on establishments to take responsibility for implementation. If Public Health receives complaints from patrons that a certain business or event is not following the mandate, they will contact the business or event organizers to take action. They say they plan to create a formal process for individuals to submit complaints.

The health order will be reviewed in six months for possible extension.

*Small restaurants and bars, defined as those with seating capacity for less than 12 people, have until December 6, 2021 to implement the requirements.