SEATTLE – With one week before King County’s new vaccine verification requirement takes effect, local businesses are turning to the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for information, how-tos, and expert advice.
The Chamber was tapped by King County to create resources for employers as they implement the new policy, and for outreach to make sure these resources get into the hands of every business that is impacted.
Starting Oct. 25, patrons must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or a negative test, to enter bars, restaurants, clubs, gyms (including yoga, dance and martial arts), wine, beer, and spirit tasting rooms, arts and entertainment venues, outdoor sports, concert and performance venues with 500 or more people in attendance, indoor event spaces rented for private gatherings (such as weddings and parties) and bowling alleys. Small restaurants (with seating capacity for less than 12 people) will not be phased in until Dec. 6.
“The Seattle Metro Chamber strongly and actively supports vaccination because we know it is the path out of this pandemic and toward an equitable economic recovery,” said Rachel Smith, president and CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber. “As employers prepare to implement the new vaccine verification program over the coming days, the Chamber is ready to be their champion. Thanks to a tight-knit partnership with King County, we have information and tools ready to make compliance simple, and we have built a support network of experts to help businesses of all sizes throughout our region. Businesses will have a partner in this every step of the way.”
Working with officials at Public Health – Seattle & King County and with member businesses, the Chamber has assembled a free comprehensive toolkit, hosted informational webinars, and built a website (kcvaxverified.com) where businesses can access all of these resources and read FAQs.
With a special focus on accessibility, the Chamber’s toolkit was translated into 21 languages.
“As a regional chamber, the Seattle Southside Chamber continuously strives to keep all of our members updated and informed,” said Andrea H. Reay, president and CEO of the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce. “During COVID the flood of information and the constantly changing landscape has prioritized our need to communicate quickly and effectively with our businesses in South King County. We are grateful for the collaboration and partnership with the Seattle Metro Chamber and others to help bring consistency to the tools and resources we can elevate and distribute to and for our community. We were founded on the belief that we are better and stronger together and know that it is by finding ways to come together that we move forward.”
To learn more or share these resources with an impacted business, visit kcvaxverified.com.
About the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce
The Seattle Metropolitan (Seattle Metro) Chamber of Commerce is the regional business advocacy organization that engages the innovation and entrepreneurship of its 2,500 members to promote inclusive economic prosperity. Founded in 1882 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is an independent organization representing a regional workforce of approximately 750,000. For more information, visit www.seattlechamber.com.