Inslee Extends Roadmap to Recovery Proclamation

Gov. Jay Inslee recently issued an extension of the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery emergency proclamation, Proclamation 20-25.13. Additionally, the governor issued new worker protections that provide safeguards to employees who wish to get vaccinated or who are in isolation or quarantine.

The Proclamation 20-25.13 Healthy Washington extension provides that all counties are in Phase 3 as of May 18, 2021. It also incorporates the new CDC face covering guidance adopted by the governor on May 13, 2021 which generally provides that fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask inside or outside except in certain locations (healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, schools and public transportation).

The proclamation clarifies that business owners may adopt an honor system and assume that any customer who is not wearing a face covering has been fully vaccinated. It further clarifies that business owners and local authorities have the option to require that customers wear a face covering, and that local authorities may not prohibit business owners from requiring that their customers wear a face covering.

The proclamation also addresses the application of this new rule to employees and employers, and requires that employers must obtain proof of vaccination or obtain a self-attestation from the employee attesting to their fully vaccinated status before an employee may work at a worksite without wearing a mask. It further permits employers to continue to require that employees wear a face covering regardless of vaccination status.