Vaccine verification starts Monday in King County: What to expect

SEATTLE — King County and Seattle officials kicked off a vaccine verification preview campaign on Oct. 18 that centered on what businesses and customers can expect when the new policy begins in King County next week.

On Oct. 25, anyone aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test to enter certain indoor and outdoor events and establishments.

The requirement applies to outdoor public events of 500 or more people, and all indoor event venues and businesses such as live music, performing arts, gyms, restaurants, bars, movie theaters, professional and college sports, conferences and conventions.

Restaurants with a seating capacity of 12 or fewer are not required to get proof of vaccination or a negative test from customers until Dec. 6.

>>See the full verification of vaccination order

Seattle Mayor Durkan and King County Executive Dow Constantine demonstrated the verification process at Cafe Allegro in the University District by simply showing photos of their vaccination cards on their cellphones to café staff.

The new policy will be previewed on social media to make people aware of the policy’s start date and include planning resources for businesses such as signs, checklists and tools to navigate the verification process.

But what can customers expect? According to Public Health – Seattle & King County, people needing to show vaccination verification only need to provide one of the following:

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccination card showing full vaccination for COVID-19 or a photo of that card; documented proof of vaccination from a medical record or vaccine provider; a printed certification or QR code from MyIR Mobile, or from digital vaccine card apps such as CLEAR.

Those who are unvaccinated or cannot prove vaccination status will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 72 hours. The documentation must be from a laboratory, health care provider or pharmacy.

Self-administered rapid tests or home tests will not be accepted.

Visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/vaccine to find out how to get vaccinated in King County and visit this link for a video from King County TV about what to expect after the policy goes into effect.

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