Updated COVID-19 Requirements for Health Care Settings
As of Oct. 27, 2022, several emergency proclamations related to health care will be rescinded, and as of Oct. 31, 2022, all remaining COVID-19 emergency proclamations and the state of emergency will come to an end. Please note that some requirements from the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and the Department of Health (DOH) will remain in place for health care settings.
The Governor’s decision means that vaccination requirements for health care workers (Proclamation 21-14) will end on Oct. 31; however, employers will still have the ability to continue requiring employees to be vaccinated.
Although most COVID-19 emergency orders will be lifted, the statewide Face Covering Order issued by the DOH will remain in effect for health care (including dental) and long-term care settings as well as for correctional facilities, under certain circumstances. This means that unless an individual meets the criteria for an exception or exemption as outlined in the Face Covering Order, all individuals must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when they are indoors in the aforementioned settings.
Additionally, L&I DOSH Directive 11.80, Annual Fit-Testing, Respiratory Protection and Face Coverings During COVID-19 Pandemic, along with the Health Emergency Labor Standards Act (HELSA), which includes requirements for both voluntary PPE usage as well as notifications related to high-risk exposures of COVID-19 for employers that are health care facilities, both remain in effect.
Please Note: You have an opportunity to provide feedback regarding COVID-19 and infection control practices through a brief survey from L&I. Learn more here.
Finally, proclamations 20-24 and 20-59 and their subsequent amendments (20-24.1, 20-24.2, 20-24.3, 20-59.1, 20-59.2, 20-59.3, 20-59.4, 20-59.5, 20-59.6, 20-59.7, and 20-59.8) are among the emergency proclamations that will end on Oct. 27. Proclamation 20-24 provided requirements for the provision of non-urgent health care services, while proclamation 20-59 expedited the process of obtaining a temporary practice permit for some health care professions, including dentists and dental hygienists.
More information on the COVID-19 requirements that remain in effect as well as those that will be rescinded Oct. 27 and Oct. 31 can be found at wsda.org/COVID-19.
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