Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that he will end the City’s Covid emergency proclamation on October 31, more than 2 ½ years after Mayor Jenny Durkan implemented it. This announcement means that the City emergency declaration will end at the same time Governor Jay Inslee brings the statewide state of emergency to an end.
While stating that the City will continue to follow the recommendations of public health authorities, Mayor Harrell praised the public’s response to the pandemic. “[I]t is thanks to our city’s strong response — including our high vaccination rate and strong health care system — that we can continue moving toward recovery and revitalization.”
Two major impacts from the end of the Covid state of emergency are:
- The end of hazard pay requirements for food service gig workers on November 1 and the termination of paid sick leave for delivery and transportation gig workers six months after the emergency ends (May 1, 2023). However, state law will require paid sick leave for transportation workers as of January 1, 2023.
- Eviction limitations on property owners will also end six months after the end of the emergency proclamation (May 1, 2023).
The City’s vaccination mandate will stay in effort for Seattle city employees and contractors.
