Current COVID-19 guidance in King County
January 6, 2022 update: Boosters
Everyone ages 12 and older should get a booster dose:
- 5 months after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna (note: ages 12-17 can only get Pfizer)
- 2 months after one dose of J&J
The Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are recommended over J&J for both initial and booster vaccinations.
Learn about requirements to show proof of vaccination in King County on our Vaccination verification page and learn about the latest mask requirements in King County on our Masking guidance page.
When should I wear a mask?
Where you are required to wear a mask (ages 5+) and keep physical distancing:
| Fully vaccinated | Not fully vaccinated | |
|---|---|---|
| Open outdoor public places (At least 6 feet distance from others) | ||
| Crowded outdoor public places (*When 6 feet distance can't be maintained. Outdoor events, busy streets, or trails) | Recommended* | * |
| Large outdoor events (500 people or more) | ||
| Indoor public places | ||
| All doctor's offices, hospitals, long-term care, testing/vaccination sites, correctional facilities, homeless service sites, schools and childcare, or on public transportation | ||
| If you test positive or are exposed to COVID-19 | For 10 days when around others (For isolation and quarantine period, see full guidance.) |
For 10 days when around others (For isolation and quarantine period, see full guidance.) |
What this means
For businesses, non-profits, and other organizations
If two or more staff members develop confirmed or suspected COVID-19 within a 14-day period, Washington State requires businesses, non-profits, and other organizations to self-report this information to Public Health:
Report COVID-19 cases to Public Health
Guidance to protect staff and visitors from COVID‑19
All businesses, non-profits, restaurants, religious organizations, and other organizations can support a safe re-opening. Follow Washington state guidance to protect your staff and visitors, with proper indoor air ventilation, vaccination efforts, and mask guidelines. All businesses and organizations are required to post signs explaining their mask policy.
All unvaccinated staff and visitors are required to wear masks in indoor public spaces, with reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities, as described in the State Health Order on Face Coverings. Any organization may choose to require all staff and visitors to wear masks.
If a person is required to wear a face covering under Washington state guidance, a business must require the person to wear a mask and prohibit entry if they decline. For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Health website.
Available resources for small and midsize employers
The Small Business Flex Fund offers loans up to $150,000 for businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Businesses, non-profits, and organizations with fewer than 500 employees can claim refundable tax credits that reimburse them for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave to their employees due to COVID-19, including leave taken by employees to receive or recover from COVID-19 vaccinations.
Culturally and linguistically relevant help is available in-language for small businesses and nonprofits looking to find and apply for resources, access translation assistance, plan for recovery and safe re-opening, and more.
For you
COVID-19 is still present in our communities. The best protection is to get a COVID-19 vaccine. It's free, safe and effective. Visit our website for community vaccination sites (updated frequently): www.kingcounty.gov/vaccine
Whether or not you are vaccinated, please wear masks in indoor public settings like grocery, retail, theaters and entertainment establishments, at large outdoor events with 500 or more people, and in crowded outdoor settings where people cannot remain at least 6 feet apart. Not everyone has been vaccinated yet, including more than 300,000 children and some people with medical conditions, so everyone should continue to follow King County guidelines, state masking guidelines, and CDC travel guidelines.
Not following the masking order may result in a misdemeanor subjecting the violator to a fine of up to $100 and/or up to 90 days in county jail. Local law enforcement agencies generally have primary enforcement jurisdiction in their localities.
Customers who are concerned that a business is not adequately enforcing the face mask order can submit an anonymous complaint using this online complaint form.
For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Health website.
For large events (500+ participants)
As of September 13 in Washington state, masks are required for everyone at outdoor events with 500 or more people, regardless of vaccination status.
As of October 25 in King County, proof of vaccination is required for everyone ages 12+ at outdoor events of 500 or more people, indoor recreational events or establishments, restaurants, and bars. There are no capacity limitations or physical distancing requirements for outdoor events.
Going forward
King County and Washington state will continue to monitor COVID-19 vaccination and infection rates, as well as review and reevaluate guidelines and restrictions. If cases rise significantly and create a public health concern, reopening plans may be updated as necessary.
Materials
Infographic detailing King County Local Health Order on masks for outdoor events:
- Masks required at any outdoor event with 500+ people
- 500 ወይም ከ500 በላይ ሰዎች በሚገኙበት የውጪ ዝግጅት ቦታ ላይ አሁን የፊት መሸፈኛ ጭምብሎች መልበስ ግዴታ ነው። (አማርኛ – Amharic)
- ارتداء الكمامات واجبة الان لأیة فعالیة في الھواء الطلق اذا تجاوز عدد الحضور ب 500 شخص او اكثر (العربية – Arabic)
- 现在，任何有500名或以上参加者的户外活动都一律需佩戴口罩。 (简体字 – Chinese, Sim.)
- 現在，任何有500名或以上參加者的戶外活動都一律需佩戴口罩。 (繁體字 – Chinese, Trad.)
- پوشیدن ماسک حالا برای تمامی مراسم بیرون از خانه که در آن۵۰۰ نفر یا بیشتر از آن اشتراک کنند، ضروری است. (دری – Dari)
- ឥឡូវនេះ គេតម្រូវឱ្យពាក់ម៉ាស់នៅក្នុងព្រឹត្តិការណ៍នៅខាងក្រៅណាមួយដែលមានមនុស្សចំនួនពី ៥០០ នាក់ឡើងទៅចូលរួម។ (ភាសាខ្មែរ – Khmer)
- 이제500명이상이참석하는야외행사에서는마스크착용이필수입니다. (한국어 – Korean)
- Маски теперь обязательно нужно носить на любом мероприятии на открытом воздухе с участием 500 или более человек. (Русский – Russian)
- O pupuni fofoga ua faamalosia ona fai i le taimi nei i soo se faatasiga e fai i fafo o loo i ai ni tagata e 500 pe sili atu le aofai o auai ai. (Gagana fa'a Sāmoa – Samoan)
- Af-xirasho hadda waa ku waajib dhacdo kasta oo bannaanka ah oo 500 oo qof ama ka badan ka qeybgaleyso. (af Soomaali – Somali)
- El uso de mascarillas es requerido ahora en cualquier evento al aire libre que cuente con la asistencia de 500 personas o más. (Español – Spanish)
- Maski zinahitajika kwa sasa kwa ukumbi wowote wa ndani ulio na watu 500 au zaidi waliohudhuria. (Kiswahili – Swahili)
- Kinakailangan na ngayon ang mga maskara sa anumang panlabas na kaganapan na may 500 o higit pang mga tao na dadalo. (Filipino – Tagalog)
- Носіння масок тепер обов' язково на будь-яких заходах на відкритому повітрі заучасті 500 чи більше людей. (Українська – Ukrainian)
- Khẩu trang hiện tại được yêu cầu phải đeo tại bất kỳ sự kiện ngoài trời nào có từ 500 người tham gia trở lên. (Tiếng Việt – Vietnamese)
Frequently asked questions
There are no restrictions on the number of people who can be in businesses and other public spaces such as restaurants, grocery stores, shops, theaters, and museums. And social distancing requirements are no longer in place. However, individual businesses can choose to maintain these restrictions.
Yes, any business or organization can require people to wear masks but must make reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities, as described in the State Health Order on Face Coverings. Masks protect children, people with medical conditions and those who are unvaccinated. They also provide an extra layer of protection for people who are vaccinated.
All businesses and organizations are required to post signs explaining their mask policy. All unvaccinated employees and customers are required to wear masks in indoor public spaces.
To protect employees, customers and visitors, certain protective measures remain important , even if they are not required. COVID-19 is still with us and the virus spreads through the air.
- Workers and customers who have not been vaccinated must wear a mask.
- Create an environment where masks are welcome (if not required).
- Improve indoor air ventilation and filtration (guidance available at Improving Indoor Air).
- Encourage employees to get vaccinated and tested as needed. Consider providing onsite vaccinations for employees.
- Continue to encourage outdoor gatherings when possible.
As always, hand washing is a good way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
As of October 25 in King County, proof of vaccination is required for everyone ages 12+ at outdoor events of 500 or more people, indoor recreational events or establishments, restaurants, and bars.
Establishments must make reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities or who can't be vaccinated. If employers plan to allow fully vaccinated employees to work without masks, employees must show proof of vaccination, according to guidance from the Washington Department of Labor & Industries.
Acceptable types of documentation include:
- A CDC vaccine card or photo of vaccine card.
- Documented proof of vaccination from medical record or vaccine provider.
- Proof of vaccination from another state or county.
- Printed certificate or digital record from MyIRMobile.com or other apps.
View additional guidance on face coverings for businesses from the Department of Health.
As of September 13 in Washington state, masks are required for everyone at outdoor events with 500 or more people, regardless of vaccination status. There will be no capacity restrictions or physical distancing requirements, and attendees must follow current masking requirements.
As of October 25 in King County, proof of vaccination is required for everyone ages 12+ at outdoor events of 500 or more people, indoor recreational events or establishments, restaurants, and bars.
For information or questions about large events, please contact the Washington State Department of Health.
CDC guidance on cleaning and disinfecting continue to be important for reducing the risk of spreading COVID-19 and other communicable diseases. Cleaning high touch surfaces, encouraging frequent hand-washing for employees, providing hand sanitizer to customers, and maintaining plexiglass or other barriers to block droplets from sneezes and coughs will continue to reduce illness among customers and employees. Refer to Washington Department of Labor & Industries COVID-19 Prevention in the Workplace requirements and guidance for instructions on reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace.
Do you have a question that's not listed here?
For answers to additional questions, please see the Washington State Department of Health FAQ on re-opening and FAQ on face coverings.
Additional resources
Link/share our site at kingcounty.gov/covid/current