October 19

Now, over two and a half years later, that state of emergency and all remaining emergency proclamations are scheduled to be lifted on October 31, 2022 (see the ...

[workplace safety and health rules](https://www.lni.wa.gov/agency/outreach/coronavirus/HELSA-discrimination) during the pandemic to protect high-risk employees from being discharged, replaced, or discriminated against in the workplace for seeking accommodation from exposure to an infectious or contagious disease during a public health emergency. [Proclamation 20-25.19](https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/20-25.19%20-%20COVID-19%20Washington%20Ready%20%28tmp%29.pdf), known as “Washington Ready,” includes a provision that requires employers to notify their local health district if they suspect COVID is spreading in their workplace. Once the governor issues the lifting of the emergency order, we will update this blog and related webpages, as necessary. Although this express prohibition will no longer be in effect after the lifting of the emergency, the proclamation was really a belts-and-suspenders approach to exempting contact tracing logs from public disclosure. After October 31, 2022, this will no longer be a requirement and — absent any local policy to the contrary — non-vaccinated individuals can be hired (or re-hired) into these healthcare/childcare positions. Now, over two and a half years later, that state of emergency and all remaining emergency proclamations are scheduled to be lifted on October 31, 2022 (see the governor’s [press release](https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-announces-end-remaining-covid-19-emergency-orders-and-state-emergency-october-31)). Similar to vaccine mandates, mask requirements have also mostly disappeared, with few if any local governments (outside of public hospitals) requiring facial coverings in the workplace. [OPMA/PRA Emergency Proclamation Will Expire June 1](https://mrsc.org/Home/Stay-Informed/MRSC-Insight/May-2022/OPMA-PRA-Emergency-Proclamation-Expire-June-1.aspx)). [RCW 42.30.230](https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=42.30.230) the current status of open public meetings is that they must be held at a physical location where the public can attend, unless a local, state, or federal emergency has been declared and the public agency determines it cannot hold an in-person meeting with reasonable safety. COVID-19 vaccine mandates were a hot (and controversial) topic at the height of the pandemic. Notably for local governments, workers in the healthcare/childcare settings (including many firefighters and emergency medical technicians) were required to be vaccinated against the virus. The purpose of this blog is to review what impact local governments will experience once the emergency officially ends.