OLYMPIA, Wash. – Governor Jay Inslee is requiring all state workers and contractors that enter state work sites to be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
“When we vaccinate state employees, we protect citizens that they serve. When we vaccinate state employees, we protect state employees,” says Inslee. “And when we vaccinate state employees, we reduce the threat that we have to take other measures in the future because of this dreaded disease.”
All workers will have to be fully vaccinated, including the waiting period for the shots to become effective, by October 18th.
People with medical conditions or sincere religious beliefs that bar vaccination can apply to be exempt, but they are not automatic.
No personal or philosophical exemptions will be allowed.
The new rule also applies to workers at long term care and private health care facilities in the state.
PeaceHealth, which owns and operates Bellingham’s hospital, has already announced that it’s requiring all personnel to be vaccinated.