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Seattle

The Seattle file holds 54 instruments from the counties, cities, health officers, courts and transit authorities of the area, 50 of them with the exhibit file held by The COVID Project. The statewide orders that ran over the same ground are in the Washington file.

Code SEAState WashingtonFirst closure or stay-at-home order Mar. 16, 2020 Ex. MET-SEA-008Orders reaching 2021 Q3 22Primary source read 48 Confirmed from a secondary source 6
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The Seattle file

The record in brief

ScopeCounty and municipal instruments of the Seattle metropolitan area: Public Health - Seattle & King County Local Health Officer orders and directives; King County Executive proclamations, orders and releases; City of Seattle mayoral proclamation, civil emergency orders, executive orders and mayoral directives; King County Metro and Sound Transit operating orders; City of Everett mayoral directive and civil emergency orders.

The Seattle metropolitan area was the first American metropolitan area under COVID-19 governmental orders, and its local authorities acted before, alongside and after the State. King County Executive Constantine proclaimed a county emergency on March 1, 2020 (recited in Exs. MET-SEA-004 and MET-SEA-008), Seattle Mayor Durkan proclaimed a civil emergency on March 3, 2020 (Ex. MET-SEA-005), the Snohomish Health District Health Officer declared a public health emergency and Snohomish County Executive Somers and Everett Mayor Franklin proclaimed emergencies on March 4, 2020 (Exs. MET-SEA-051, MET-SEA-043, MET-SEA-040), and Pierce County Executive Dammeier proclaimed an emergency on March 6, 2020 (Ex. MET-SEA-044). On March 11, 2020 the Snohomish Health District ordered that 'All events of 250 or greater attendees are prohibited' and conditioned every smaller event on distancing, daily employee screening and sanitation (Ex. MET-SEA-052); on March 13, 2020 the Snohomish County Executive closed every K-12 school in the county (EO 20-01, recited in Ex. MET-SEA-043) and suspended every local ordinance limiting grocery delivery hours (EO 20-02, Ex. MET-SEA-043); the Pierce County, King County Superior and King County District Courts began suspending jury service and postponing calendars on March 12-17, 2020 (Exs. MET-SEA-045, MET-SEA-053, MET-SEA-055). On March 11, 2020 the King County Local Health Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, ordered that all events of more than 250 people be halted in King County and that every event of 250 or fewer be cancelled unless the organizer implemented social-distancing and sanitation measures (recited verbatim in Exs. MET-SEA-004 and MET-SEA-008; announced in Ex. MET-SEA-009). On March 16, 2020, under RCW 70.05.070(2)-(3) and WAC 246-100-036, he ordered that 'All events with 50 people or more are hereby prohibited until further notice,' that 'All bars, dance clubs, fitness and health clubs, movie theatres, night clubs, and other social and recreational establishments shall be closed,' that 'all restaurants and food service establishments shall cease providing dining room services,' and that every other retailer 'may remain open provided they observe the COVID-19 prevention measures,' including daily symptom screening of employees (Ex. MET-SEA-008). On March 28, 2020 he ordered every person who tested positive into isolation and directed every symptomatic person awaiting a result into quarantine, on pain of involuntary detention (Ex. MET-SEA-004). Seattle closed every public-facing City service counter, library and community center and suspended every permitted event from March 12-16, 2020 (recited in Exs. MET-SEA-013, MET-SEA-016), barred residential evictions on March 14 (Ex. MET-SEA-006) and small-business and nonprofit evictions on March 17 (Ex. MET-SEA-007), and on April 24 made it 'unlawful for a third-party, app-based food delivery platform to charge a restaurant a commission fee... that totals more than 15%' for as long as dine-in service was restricted or the civil emergency continued (Ex. MET-SEA-012). Everett directed every resident and business owner to stay home from noon on March 23, 2020 'until further notice' (Ex. MET-SEA-039), three days before the Governor's statewide order took effect, and barred residential evictions on March 17 (Ex. MET-SEA-040). King County Metro and Sound Transit stopped collecting fares and moved all boarding to rear doors from March 21, 2020 (Ex. MET-SEA-021); Metro did not resume fares until October 1, 2020 (Ex. MET-SEA-023).

2020 Q2. Every one of those instruments was in force on April 1, 2020, beneath the Governor's Stay Home - Stay Healthy order (Proclamation 20-25, Mar. 23, 2020, and its extensions to May 31). Seattle aligned its closures with each State extension (EO 2020-04, Apr. 6; EO 2020-05, May 2; Exs. MET-SEA-011, MET-SEA-013) and extended both eviction moratoria to June 4, 2020. On May 11, 2020 the Local Health Officer issued the face-covering Directive effective May 18, 2020, which Metro made a condition of riding transit (Exs. MET-SEA-022, MET-SEA-035). King County applied for the Safe Start Phase 1.5 variance on May 29 and received it on June 5, 2020; it applied for Phase 2 on June 15 (Exs. MET-SEA-029, MET-SEA-032) and entered Phase 2 on June 19, 2020. On June 30, 2020 the closures the County had ordered on March 16 had been subsumed by the State's phased regime; the isolation order, the face-covering Directive, the Seattle and Everett emergency orders and the Metro fare suspension were in force.

2020 Q3 and Q4. Seattle extended the eviction moratoria and every closure again (EO 2020-06, June 3, to Aug. 1; EO 2020-09, July 31, to Dec. 31, 2020; EO 2020-12, Dec. 15, to Mar. 31, 2021; Exs. MET-SEA-014, MET-SEA-015, MET-SEA-016). King County remained in Safe Start Phase 2 through the Governor's July 2020 freeze (Proclamation 20-25.5, 20-25.7) and the November 15, 2020 statewide rollback (Proclamation 20-25.8), which the County Executive announced the same day (Ex. MET-SEA-033). Metro resumed fares October 1, 2020 but suspended fare enforcement through the end of 2020 (Ex. MET-SEA-023).

2021 Q1 and Q2. The Puget Sound region (King, Pierce, Snohomish) entered Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington Roadmap (Proclamation 20-25.12) on February 1, 2021 and Phase 3 on March 22, 2021; Pierce County was returned to Phase 2 on April 16, 2021 (a State action, cited from the WA file; date verified from secondary sources only in this session). Seattle extended the moratoria to June 30, 2021 (EO 2021-02, Mar. 15, 2021, recited in Ex. MET-SEA-017) and then to September 30, 2021 (EO 2021-06, June 18, 2021; Ex. MET-SEA-017). On May 20, 2021, after the State exempted vaccinated persons from its mask order, the Local Health Officer directed that 'Everyone 5-years of age and older in King County should continue to wear a face covering within indoor public spaces' until 70 percent of residents 16 and older were fully vaccinated (Ex. MET-SEA-003), a threshold the County announced on June 15, 2021 (Ex. MET-SEA-034).

2021 Q3. The third quarter of 2021 in King County was a quarter of new local orders, not of expired ones. On July 26, 2021 the health officers of King, Pierce, Snohomish and five other counties jointly recommended masks in every indoor public space regardless of vaccination status (Ex. MET-SEA-036). On August 9, 2021 Seattle Mayoral Directive 9 made full vaccination 'a condition of employment on October 18, 2021' for every City employee (Ex. MET-SEA-018), and on August 10, 2021 the King County Executive ordered the same for every Executive Branch employee (recited in Ex. MET-SEA-027). On September 2, 2021 the Local Health Officer ORDERED, effective September 7, 2021, that 'Masks are required at any outdoor event with 500 or more people in attendance' and that 'Everyone 5-years of age and older in King County must wear a face covering within indoor public spaces' (Ex. MET-SEA-002), six days before the State's own outdoor order (Order of the Secretary of Health 20-03.5, Sept. 13, 2021). On September 16, 2021 he ORDERED that 'verification that they are fully vaccinated is required prior to entry' for every patron 12 and older of indoor restaurants, bars and taverns, entertainment and recreational establishments, gyms, museums, theaters, stadiums, exhibition halls, convention centers and outdoor events of 500 or more, effective October 25, 2021 (December 6, 2021 for restaurants and bars seating fewer than twelve), for six months (Ex. MET-SEA-001). On September 21, 2021 Seattle extended both eviction moratoria and its utility shut-off suspension to January 15, 2022 (Ex. MET-SEA-019). Every one of these instruments, the Seattle Proclamation of Civil Emergency of March 3, 2020, the delivery-commission cap, the isolation order and the State's indoor and outdoor mask orders were in force on September 30, 2021.

The six quarters

What the record shows in force in Seattle on the first day and the last day of each quarter. Every exhibit named here opens its record. The orders of March 13 to 31, 2020 belong to the second quarter of 2020, because wages paid after March 12, 2020 fall in that quarter.

QuarterFirst dayLast day
2020 Q2Second quarter of 2020The quarter nationally →Apr. 1, 2020: King County LHO order of Mar. 16, 2020 (events of 50 or more prohibited 'until further notice'; bars, clubs, gyms, theaters closed; dining rooms closed; retail conditioned on screening and distancing) (MET-SEA-008), beneath Governor's Proclamation 20-25 stay-home order; LHO Isolation Order and Quarantine Directive of Mar. 28, 2020 (MET-SEA-004); Seattle Proclamation of Civil Emergency (MET-SEA-005), residential eviction moratorium (MET-SEA-006), small-business and nonprofit eviction moratorium (MET-SEA-007), closures of libraries, community centers, City service counters and suspension of permitted events (recited in MET-SEA-013); Everett Mayoral Directive to stay home effective noon Mar. 23, 2020 (MET-SEA-039) and Everett eviction moratorium (MET-SEA-040); Metro and Sound Transit fare suspension and rear-door boarding from Mar. 21, 2020 (MET-SEA-021); King County Metro service reductions from Mar. 23, 2020 (MET-SEA-021).June 30, 2020: LHO isolation order (MET-SEA-004); LHO face-covering Directive effective May 18, 2020 (MET-SEA-035, MET-SEA-022) alongside SOH Order 20-03 (June 26, 2020); Seattle EO 2020-06 (June 3, 2020) extending eviction moratoria to Aug. 1, 2020 and closures (MET-SEA-014); Seattle delivery-commission cap (MET-SEA-012); Metro fare suspension and masks required on transit (MET-SEA-021, MET-SEA-022); King County in Safe Start Phase 2 from June 19, 2020 (MET-SEA-029); Everett civil emergency and eviction moratorium (MET-SEA-040).
2020 Q3Third quarter of 2020The quarter nationally →July 1, 2020: the June 30 list above; King County Phase 2 under Proclamation 20-25.4/.5 (statewide phase freeze from July 2, 2020); Seattle EO 2020-06 (MET-SEA-014).Sept. 30, 2020: Seattle EO 2020-09 (July 31, 2020) extending both eviction moratoria to Dec. 31, 2020 (MET-SEA-015); delivery cap (MET-SEA-012); LHO isolation order (MET-SEA-004); Metro fare suspension (last day; fares resumed Oct. 1) and rear-door boarding (MET-SEA-023); King County Phase 2; Seattle civil emergency.
2020 Q4Fourth quarter of 2020The quarter nationally →Oct. 1, 2020: Seattle EO 2020-09 (MET-SEA-015); Metro fares resumed with fare enforcement suspended through Dec. 31, 2020 (MET-SEA-023); King County Phase 2; LHO isolation order; delivery cap.Dec. 31, 2020: Seattle EO 2020-12 (Dec. 15, 2020) extending eviction moratoria to Mar. 31, 2021 and rent relief (MET-SEA-016); statewide rollback of Nov. 16, 2020 (Proclamation 20-25.8, extended by 20-25.9-.11) announced by the County Executive (MET-SEA-033); LHO isolation order; delivery cap; Seattle civil emergency.
2021 Q1First quarter of 2021The quarter nationally →Jan. 1, 2021: Seattle EO 2020-12 (MET-SEA-016); statewide rollback to Jan. 11, then Healthy Washington Roadmap Phase 1 for the Puget Sound region (Proclamation 20-25.12); LHO isolation order; delivery cap.Puget Sound region Phase 3 from Mar. 22, 2021; LHO isolation order; delivery cap; Seattle civil emergency.
2021 Q2Second quarter of 2021The quarter nationally →Apr. 1, 2021: as on Mar. 31, 2021; Pierce County returned to Phase 2 on Apr. 16, 2021 (State action; secondary verification only).June 30, 2021: Seattle EO 2021-06 (June 18, 2021) extending eviction moratoria to Sept. 30, 2021, rent relief and utility shut-off suspension (MET-SEA-017); LHO Indoor Masking Directive of May 20, 2021 lifted upon the 70 percent announcement of June 15, 2021 (MET-SEA-003, MET-SEA-034); Seattle Mayoral Directive 8 (June 30, 2021; recited in MET-SEA-018); LHO isolation order; delivery cap; statewide reopening under Proclamation 20-25.13/.14.
2021 Q3Third quarter of 2021The quarter nationally →July 1, 2021: Seattle EO 2021-06 (MET-SEA-017); Seattle Proclamation of Civil Emergency (MET-SEA-005); delivery-commission cap (MET-SEA-012); LHO isolation order (MET-SEA-004); Everett civil emergency; State: Proclamation 20-25.14 Washington Ready, SOH Order 20-03.3 (masks for unvaccinated persons), Proclamation 21-09 eviction bridge.Sept. 30, 2021: LHO Outdoor and Indoor Masking Orders effective Sept. 7, 2021 (MET-SEA-002); LHO Verification of Vaccination Order issued Sept. 16, 2021 (MET-SEA-001); Seattle Mayoral Directive 9 (Aug. 9, 2021) vaccination as a condition of City employment Oct. 18, 2021 (MET-SEA-018); King County Executive order of Aug. 10, 2021 (recited in MET-SEA-027); Seattle EO 2021-07 (Sept. 21, 2021) extending eviction moratoria and utility shut-off suspension to Jan. 15, 2022 (MET-SEA-019); delivery cap (MET-SEA-012); LHO isolation order (MET-SEA-004); Seattle civil emergency (MET-SEA-005); State: SOH Order 20-03.4 (indoor masks, Aug. 23, 2021), 20-03.5 (outdoor 500+, Sept. 13, 2021), Proclamations 20-25.15-.17, 21-14/.1/.2, 21-09.1.

The end of general restrictions

The day the general business restrictions ended in Seattle, the instrument that ended them, and what the record shows still in force afterward. The end of the general orders is not the end of the record: sector rules, standing duties and the federal layer continue past it.

End of general restrictions

Instrument Statewide: Proclamation 20-25.14, Washington Ready (July 1, 2021; Ex. WA-072), implementing the June 30, 2021 reopening fixed by Proclamation 20-25.13 (May 21, 2021; Ex. WA-065). No local instrument ended the general business restrictions in King, Pierce or Snohomish Counties; the counties' capacity and closure rules were the State's Safe Start and Healthy Washington phases applied county-by-county and region-by-region (King County Phase 1.5 June 5, 2020; Phase 2 June 19, 2020; Puget Sound region Phase 2 Feb. 1, 2021, Phase 3 Mar. 22, 2021; Pierce County returned to Phase 2 Apr. 16, 2021).

What remained in force

The King County Local Health Officer isolation order of March 28, 2020 (until further notice); the Seattle Proclamation of Civil Emergency (Mar. 3, 2020) and every order issued under it, including the residential and small-business eviction moratoria (extended to Sept. 30, 2021 by EO 2021-06 and to Jan. 15, 2022 by EO 2021-07), the 15 percent delivery-commission cap (in force by its terms until dine-in service was unrestricted and the later of Proclamation 20-25 or the Seattle civil emergency was rescinded), City rent-relief and utility shut-off suspensions; the Everett civil emergency; the State's face-covering order for unvaccinated persons (SOH Order 20-03.3, June 29, 2021) and large-indoor-event rules; the State eviction 'bridge' (Proclamation 21-09, July 1 - Sept. 30, 2021, extended to Oct. 31 by 21-09.1); and, from July-September 2021, the new local instruments listed in q3_2021_in_force.

The State and the local orders

None. Washington did not preempt or enjoin local COVID-19 orders. RCW 70.05.070(2)-(3) and WAC 246-100-036 empowered each local health officer to institute control measures, and every King County order recites them. The Secretary of Health's Order 20-03 provides that where it 'and the action of any other agency or official are in conflict, the more protective' governs (Ex. WA-037), and Proclamation 20-25.8 made the most restrictive applicable guidance controlling (Ex. WA-047). Proclamation 20-78 (Dec. 14, 2020; Ex. WA-051) barred counties from withdrawing from local health jurisdictions during the emergency, preserving the local officers who issued these orders. No court enjoined any King County, Seattle or Everett instrument catalogued here; the King County vaccination-verification order took effect October 25, 2021 and ran its six-month term. Seattle's emergency orders were subject to City Council ratification under SMC 10.02.020 (Ex. MET-SEA-006 § 4) and Everett's under EMC 9.02 (Ex. MET-SEA-040 ¶ 4); none was rejected.

Third quarter of 2021

July 1 through September 30, 2021, the last claimable quarter: the instruments the record shows in force in Seattle. An order in force on any day of the quarter is an order in force during it. The quarter nationally →

In force (20)

Sector chronology

How the orders reached each kind of business in Seattle, sector by sector, in the order the record gives. Open a sector to read its chronology; every exhibit named opens its record.

Restaurants and bars

Dining rooms closed and bars, taverns and night clubs shut by LHO order Mar. 16, 2020 (MET-SEA-008), in parallel with Proclamation 20-13 (Mar. 16, 2020); take-out, drive-through and delivery only; Seattle capped third-party delivery commissions at 15 percent Apr. 24, 2020 for the duration (MET-SEA-012); King County Phase 1.5 (June 5, 2020: indoor dining at 25 percent) and Phase 2 (June 19, 2020: 50 percent); statewide indoor-dining closure Nov. 16, 2020 - Feb. 1, 2021 (Proclamation 20-25.8-.12); 25 percent (Phase 2) then 50 percent (Phase 3, Mar. 22, 2021); full capacity June 30, 2021; indoor masks for all from Aug. 23, 2021 (SOH 20-03.4) and by LHO order from Sept. 7, 2021 (MET-SEA-002); vaccination or negative test required for entry from Oct. 25, 2021 by LHO order of Sept. 16, 2021 (MET-SEA-001).

Retail

Mar. 16, 2020 LHO order conditioned every retailer on daily employee symptom screening, distancing and sanitation (MET-SEA-008); non-essential retail closed under Proclamation 20-25 (Mar. 25, 2020); curbside retail May 2020; in-store retail in Phase 1.5/2 at 15-30 percent occupancy (June 2020); 25 percent Nov. 16, 2020 - Mar. 22, 2021; masks required in indoor public spaces by LHO Directive May 18, 2020, SOH Order 20-03 June 26, 2020, LHO Directive May 20, 2021, and LHO ORDER Sept. 7, 2021 (MET-SEA-002).

Personal care

Closed Mar. 16, 2020 (Proclamation 20-13; hair and nail salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors) and under Proclamation 20-25; reopened at 50 percent under King County Phase 1.5 (June 5, 2020) with masks and screening; State Personal Services requirements to June 30, 2021 (WA-105); LHO indoor mask order Sept. 7, 2021 (MET-SEA-002).

Fitness and entertainment

'fitness and health clubs, movie theatres, night clubs, and other social and recreational establishments shall be closed' by LHO order Mar. 16, 2020 (MET-SEA-008); events of 50 or more prohibited 'until further notice'; Seattle suspended all permitted events Mar. 13, 2020 through at least Apr. 13, then May 31, 2020 (MET-SEA-013); Seattle closed community centers, pools, athletic fields, courts and beaches and, from Apr. 9, 2020, its fifteen largest parks on weekends; gyms and theaters reopened only in Phase 2 (June 19, 2020) at reduced capacity; closed again Nov. 16, 2020 - Feb. 1, 2021; LHO Outdoor Masking Order for events of 500 or more from Sept. 7, 2021 (MET-SEA-002); vaccination verification for indoor entertainment, gyms and outdoor events of 500 or more from Oct. 25, 2021 (MET-SEA-001).

Hotels and short-term rentals

No separate local ban; Seattle housed health care workers in hotels (Apr. 16, 2020); King County leased hotels for isolation and quarantine (Mar. 2020); statewide Safe Start rules governed occupancy.

Offices and telework

Everett directed non-essential employers to 'take all steps necessary for employees to work remotely from home' from Mar. 23, 2020 (MET-SEA-039); Proclamation 20-25 closed non-essential workplaces; Seattle closed all public-facing counters Mar. 16, 2020 and kept them closed through 2020 and into 2021 (MET-SEA-013, MET-SEA-016; reopening timeline announced Aug. 11, 2021); Seattle City telework guidance extended through mid-October 2021 by Mayoral Directive 9 (MET-SEA-018); King County released its regional telework initiative July 28, 2020 (release located, not saved); LHO indoor masking orders exclude 'non-public spaces, including businesses, offices' (MET-SEA-002).

Manufacturing

Statewide Proclamation 20-25 (non-essential manufacturing closed Mar. 25 - May 2020); no separate local instrument; local mask orders apply to public-facing spaces only.

Construction

Statewide Proclamation 20-25 halted non-essential construction Mar. 25 - Apr. 24, 2020; Everett's directive exempted only 'construction of housing... industrial and commercial projects currently underway' (MET-SEA-039); Seattle suspended public-works construction for two days Apr. 7-8, 2020 for safety training (Durkan release located, not saved).

Real estate

Seattle and Everett eviction moratoria on residential (Mar. 14/16 and Mar. 17, 2020) and Seattle on small-business and nonprofit commercial tenants (Mar. 17, 2020), extended without interruption to Jan. 15, 2022 (MET-SEA-006, -007, -011, -013, -014, -015, -016, -017, -019; MET-SEA-040); statewide Proclamation 20-19 series and 21-09 bridge; Seattle rent deferrals and abatements for City tenants to Dec. 31, 2021.

Hospitals and long-term care

Statewide Proclamations 20-06, 20-16, 20-66 (WA-002, WA-012, WA-043); LHO isolation order binds every positive patient (MET-SEA-004); regional health officers recommended mandatory health care worker vaccination July 30, 2021 (PHSKC release located); Proclamation 21-14 (Aug. 9, 2021) made it law statewide.

Dental and elective health care

Statewide: Proclamation 20-24 (Mar. 19, 2020) and 20-24.1 (May 18, 2020) (WA-015, WA-032); no separate King County instrument; LHO orders require masks in health care settings (MET-SEA-002).

Schools

Proclamation 20-08 (Mar. 12, 2020) closed every K-12 school in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties from Mar. 17 (WA-004), then statewide (20-09; WA-005); remote for the 2020-21 year under 20-09.3; 2021-22 masking under 20-09.4 (WA-075); LHO orders require masks in schools (MET-SEA-002).

Child care

King County opened emergency child care for essential workers Mar. 24, 2020 (MET-SEA-031); Seattle opened emergency child-care classrooms (Mar. 27 - Apr. 2020; Durkan releases located); Proclamation 20-31 (WA-022) governed licensed care statewide.

Worship and gatherings

Gatherings over 250 barred Mar. 11, 2020 and 50 or more Mar. 16, 2020 by LHO order (MET-SEA-008), with smaller gatherings conditioned on screening and distancing; all gatherings barred by Proclamation 20-25 (Mar. 23, 2020); Phase 1.5/2 caps (5 persons outside the household); Nov. 16, 2020 indoor gatherings barred; Phase 3 caps to June 30, 2021; masks at outdoor events of 500 or more from Sept. 7, 2021 (MET-SEA-002); faith-based gatherings exempt from the vaccination-verification order except when held in covered establishments (MET-SEA-001).

Courts and public offices

King County Superior Court emergency orders from March 2020 (Emergency Order file of Mar. 18, 2020 located in the Clerk's archive; retrieval pending); Supreme Court Order 25700-B-607 (Mar. 18, 2020) suspended jury trials statewide (WA-090); Seattle closed every public-facing service counter from Mar. 16, 2020 and kept the closure in force by EO 2020-04, -05, -06, -12 (MET-SEA-011, -013, -014, -016); King County closed in-person services Mar. 16, 2020 (MET-SEA-010 banner); King County property-tax deadline extended Mar. 30, 2020 (release located).

Travel and quarantine

Metro and Sound Transit fare suspension and rear-door boarding Mar. 21 - Oct. 1, 2020 (MET-SEA-021, -023); Metro service reductions from Mar. 23, 2020; masks required on transit from May 18, 2020 (MET-SEA-022), then federally from Feb. 1, 2021; LHO quarantine directive for symptomatic persons awaiting results (MET-SEA-004); statewide traveler quarantine Proclamation 20-83 (Dec. 21, 2020; WA-054).

Face coverings

LHO Directive May 11, 2020 effective May 18, 2020 (MET-SEA-035, -022); SOH Order 20-03 June 26, 2020; LHO Indoor Masking Directive May 20, 2021 to June 15, 2021 (MET-SEA-003, -034); regional recommendation July 26, 2021 (MET-SEA-036); SOH 20-03.4 Aug. 23, 2021; LHO Outdoor (500+) and Indoor Masking ORDERS effective Sept. 7, 2021 (MET-SEA-002); SOH 20-03.5 Sept. 13, 2021.

Vaccination mandates

Seattle Mayoral Directive 9 (Aug. 9, 2021): all City employees fully vaccinated as a condition of employment Oct. 18, 2021 (MET-SEA-018); King County Executive order Aug. 10, 2021 for all Executive Branch employees by Oct. 18, 2021, implemented by labor agreement Sept. 22, 2021 (MET-SEA-024, -027); LHO Verification of Vaccination Order Sept. 16, 2021, effective Oct. 25 and Dec. 6, 2021, six months (MET-SEA-001, -026, -037); statewide Proclamations 21-14/.1/.2 (Aug. 9-Sept. 27, 2021) and 21-16 (Oct. 18, 2021, post-period).

On the calendar

Every dated instrument in the Seattle file across the nineteen months from March 2020 through September 2021, in the order it took effect. A bar takes the color of the instrument's first limitation type and runs from its effective month through its end month; a fading edge marks an instrument whose end the record does not date. Point at a bar for its dates; open the bar for the record.

Emergency declaration 3Stay-at-home 2Business closure 14Telework mandate 2Capacity limit 5Gathering cap 17Face-covering requirement 10Travel and quarantine 4Schools and child care 1Health care orders 1Events and venues 12Courts and public offices 17Workplace rules 10Vaccination or testing 6Quarantine and isolation 3Supply chain 3Other 17

All instruments

Every record in the Seattle file, in the order it took effect. Filter by quarter and by limitation type; sort by any column; open the exhibit ID for the record and the operative words, or the file where The COVID Project holds it.

Showing 54 of 54 instrumentsThe Seattle records in the Library →
ExhibitInstrumentIssuerLevelEffectiveEndQuartersLimitationsSourceFile
Ex. MET-SEA-005Mayoral Proclamation of Civil Emergency (COVID-19)Proclamation of Civil EmergencyMayor Jenny A. DurkanCityMar. 3, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Emergency declarationPrimary source readPDF 1.5 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-051Health Officer's Order No. 20-056: Declaration of Public Health Emergency and Suspension of Formal Bidding RequirementsHealth Officer's Order No. 20-056Christopher Spitters, MD, MPH, Interim Health Officer, Snohomish Health DistrictCountyMar. 4, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Emergency declarationPrimary source readPDF 787 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-044Proclamation of Emergency, Pierce County, Washington (COVID-19)Proclamation of EmergencyPierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier (recommended by Dr. Anthony Chen, Director of Health, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department; approved as to form by the Prosecuting Attorney)CountyMar. 6, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Emergency declarationPrimary source readPDF 153 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-009Executive statement on actions to slow COVID-19 spread (announcing the Local Health Officer's Mar. 11, 2020 order)Executive Constantine statement on actions to slow COVID-19 spreadKing County Executive Dow ConstantineCountyMar. 11, 2020not datedGathering capEvents and venuesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 76 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-052Health Officer's Order No. 20-059: Order of the Health Officer on Events during Declaration of Public Health EmergencyHealth Officer's Order No. 20-059Christopher Spitters, MD, MPH, Health Officer, Snohomish Health DistrictCountyMar. 11, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Gathering capEvents and venuesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 1.3 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-045Emergency Order #1: Order on Expanded Criteria for Excusing Jurors Based upon Public Health Emergency (Cause No. 20-2-05474-2)Emergency Order #1, Order on Expanded Criteria for Excusing Jurors Based upon Public Health EmergencyPierce County Superior Court (Presiding Judge)CourtMar. 12, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q2Gathering capCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 1.2 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-043Emergency Executive Order No. 20-02: Order Regarding Grocery Supply ChainsEmergency Executive Order No. 20-02, Order Regarding Grocery Supply ChainsSnohomish County Executive Dave SomersCountyMar. 13, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Supply chainOtherPrimary source readPDF 426 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-006Civil Emergency Order: Moratorium on Residential EvictionsCivil Emergency Order, City of Seattle, Moratorium on Residential EvictionsMayor Jenny A. DurkanCityMar. 14, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Courts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 84 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-008Local Health Officer Order (gatherings of 50 or more; closure of bars, clubs, gyms, theaters; dining rooms closed)Local Health Officer OrderDr. Jeff Duchin, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyMar. 16, 2020Mar. 31, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capEvents and venuesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 364 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-010Executive release announcing the Local Health Order effective Mar. 16, 2020 and closure of King County in-person servicesExecutive Constantine and King County Health Officer announce new orders to limit spread of COVID-19King County Executive Dow Constantine and Local Health Officer Dr. Jeff DuchinCountyMar. 16, 2020not datedBusiness closureGathering capCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 599 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-007Civil Emergency Order: Moratorium on Small Business Tenant Evictions (small businesses and nonprofit organizations)Civil Emergency Order, Moratorium on Small Business Tenant EvictionsMayor Jenny A. DurkanCityMar. 17, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Courts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 1.5 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-040Civil Emergency Order: Moratorium on Residential EvictionsCivil Emergency Order, Moratorium on Residential EvictionsMayor Cassie FranklinCityMar. 17, 2020not dated2020 Q2Courts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 148 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-042Snohomish County COVID-19 Daily Briefing, Mar. 17, 2020 (suspension of public access to County facilities; District Court suspensions; the Governor's Mar. 15-16 closures as applied in the county)COVID-19 Snohomish County Daily Briefing, Tuesday, March 17, 2020Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers (COVID-19 Daily Briefing to elected officials)CountyMar. 17, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 422 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-055Emergency Administrative Order No. 2-2020Emergency Administrative Order No. 2-2020 (emergency response to the threat to public health)King County District Court (Presiding Judge)CourtMar. 17, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Gathering capCourts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 189 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-056Emergency Order 20-06 (Emergency Order #6): Public Health Emergency Order Regarding Operations at Pierce County Juvenile CourtEmergency Order 20-06, Public Health Emergency Order Regarding Operations at Pierce County Juvenile CourtPierce County Superior Court (Presiding Judge)CourtMar. 18, 2020Mar. 19, 20202020 Q2Courts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 1.4 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-053Emergency Order Regarding Representation of Adult Criminal Defendants (filed Mar. 19, 2020; the court's 'Emergency Order 10' file)Emergency Order Regarding Representation of Adult Criminal DefendantsKing County Superior Court (Presiding Judge)CourtMar. 19, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Courts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 5.8 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-030Executive release: King County Parks facility closures (Mar. 20, 2020)King County Parks COVID-19 update (Mar. 20, 2020)King County Executive Dow Constantine (King County Parks)CountyMar. 20, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Business closureGathering capConfirmed from a secondary sourceSource
Ex. MET-SEA-021Metro announcement: fare collection discontinued and rear-door boarding required from Mar. 21, 2020; service reductions from Mar. 23, 2020King County Metro to discontinue fare collections, direct riders to board buses at rear doors, beginning March…King County Metro (King County Executive Dow Constantine)CountyMar. 21, 2020Oct. 1, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Travel and quarantineOtherPrimary source readPDF 245 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-039Mayoral Directive: Stay Home, Protect Public HealthCity of Everett Mayoral Directive, Stay Home, Protect Public HealthMayor Cassie FranklinCityMar. 23, 2020Mar. 25, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closureTelework mandateGathering capPrimary source readPDF 47 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-041News release: Mayor Franklin directs residents and business owners to stay homeMayor Franklin directs residents and business owners to stay homeCity of Everett (Office of the Mayor), news releaseCityMar. 23, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Stay-at-homeBusiness closurePrimary source readPDF 64 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-046Emergency Order 20-07 (Emergency Order #7): Public Health Emergency Order Regarding Operations at Pierce County Juvenile CourtEmergency Order 20-07, Public Health Emergency Order Regarding Operations at Pierce County Juvenile CourtPierce County Superior Court (Presiding Judge)CourtMar. 23, 2020Apr. 24, 20202020 Q2Courts and public officesPrimary source readPDF 1.1 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-031Executive release: emergency child care for the children of essential workers during the school closuresKing County child care for essential workers (Mar. 24, 2020)King County Executive Dow ConstantineCountyMar. 24, 2020June 19, 20202020 Q2Schools and child careOtherConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 622 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-004Local Health Officer Quarantine Directive and Isolation OrderJeffrey S. Duchin, MD, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyMar. 28, 2020June 2, 20202020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Workplace rulesQuarantine and isolationPrimary source readPDF 469 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-011Executive Order 2020-04: COVID-19 Extension of Closures and Relief MeasuresExecutive Order 2020-04, COVID-19 Civil Emergency, Extension of City Closures and Relief MeasuresMayor Jenny A. DurkanCityApr. 6, 2020May 4, 20202020 Q2Business closureEvents and venuesCourts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 1.2 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-012Civil Emergency Order: Restricting Restaurant Delivery and Pick-Up Commission FeesCivil Emergency Order, City of Seattle, Restricting Restaurant Delivery and Pick-Up Commission FeesMayor Jenny A. DurkanCityApr. 24, 2020not dated2020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Supply chainOtherPrimary source readPDF 137 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-013Executive Order 2020-05: COVID-19 Civil Emergency, Further Extension of City Closures and Relief MeasuresExecutive Order 2020-05Mayor Jenny A. DurkanCityMay 2, 2020May 31, 20202020 Q2Business closureEvents and venuesCourts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 245 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-022Metro announcement: masks or face coverings required on transit from May 18, 2020New public health Directive requires masks or face coverings on transitKing County Metro, implementing the Local Health Officer's face-covering Directive of May 11, 2020CountyMay 18, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Face-covering requirementTravel and quarantinePrimary source readPDF 358 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-035Media release: face covering Directive goes into effect May 18, 2020Media Release: Face covering directive goes into effect today: prevent spreading COVID-19 when unable to…Public Health - Seattle & King County (media release describing the Local Health Officer's Directive)CountyMay 18, 2020June 26, 20202020 Q2Face-covering requirementPrimary source readPDF 244 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-047Local Health Officer Directive: Face Covering DirectiveLocal Health Officer Directive (Face Covering Directive)Dr. Jeff Duchin, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyMay 18, 2020June 26, 20202020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q2Face-covering requirementTravel and quarantineWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 336 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-048Amended Local Health Officer Order (isolation, quarantine and recovery facilities; homelessness de-intensification; behavioral health)Amended Local Health Officer OrderDr. Jeff Duchin, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyMay 20, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Health care ordersQuarantine and isolationOtherPrimary source readPDF 163 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-050Local Health Officer Quarantine Directive and Amended Isolation OrderQuarantine Directive and Amended Isolation OrderDr. Jeff Duchin, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyMay 21, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Workplace rulesQuarantine and isolationPrimary source readPDF 349 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-049Local Health Officer Order (emergency food for vulnerable populations)Local Health Officer OrderDr. Jeff Duchin, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyMay 29, 2020Sept. 30, 20212020 Q22020 Q32020 Q42021 Q12021 Q22021 Q3Supply chainOtherPrimary source readPDF 161 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-014Executive Order 2020-06: COVID-19 Civil Emergency, Continued Extension of City Closures and Relief PoliciesExecutive Order 2020-06Mayor Jenny A. DurkanCityJune 3, 2020Aug. 1, 20202020 Q22020 Q3Business closureEvents and venuesCourts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 247 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-028Executive release: King County approved for modified Phase 1 ('Phase 1.5') of Safe StartKing County approved to move to modified Phase 1 (June 5, 2020)King County Executive Dow Constantine; Washington Secretary of Health (approval)CountyJune 5, 2020June 19, 20202020 Q2Business closureCapacity limitGathering capConfirmed from a secondary sourcePDF 626 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-032Executive release: King County applies to re-open limited business activity (modified Phase 1)King County applies for re-opening of limited business activity (May 29, 2020)King County Executive Dow ConstantineCountyJune 5, 2020June 30, 20202020 Q2Business closureCapacity limitConfirmed from a secondary sourceSource
Ex. MET-SEA-029Executive release: King County applies to move to Safe Start Phase 2King County applies for Phase 2 of Safe Start recoveryKing County Executive Dow Constantine (application to the Washington Secretary of Health under Proclamation 20-25.4, Safe Start)CountyJune 19, 2020Nov. 16, 20202020 Q22020 Q32020 Q4Business closureCapacity limitGathering capPrimary source readPDF 966 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-015Executive Order 2020-09: COVID-19 Civil Emergency, Extension of Eviction MoratoriumsExecutive Order 2020-09Mayor Jenny A. DurkanCityJuly 31, 2020Dec. 31, 20202020 Q32020 Q4Courts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 197 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-023Metro announcement: fare collection resumes Oct. 1, 2020; fare enforcement suspended through end of 2020Metro to resume fare collection Oct. 1King County MetroCountyOct. 1, 2020Dec. 31, 20202020 Q4Travel and quarantineOtherPrimary source readPDF 848 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-033Executive statement on the statewide rollback of Nov. 15-16, 2020Executive Constantine statement on new statewide COVID-19 restrictions (Nov. 15, 2020)King County Executive Dow ConstantineCountyNov. 15, 2020Jan. 11, 20212020 Q4Business closureCapacity limitGathering capPrimary source readPDF 614 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-016Executive Order 2020-12: COVID-19 Civil Emergency, Extensions of City Closures and Relief MeasuresExecutive Order 2020-12Mayor Jenny A. DurkanCityDec. 15, 2020Mar. 31, 20212020 Q42021 Q1Business closureCourts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 224 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-003Local Health Officer Indoor Masking DirectiveDr. Jeff Duchin, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyMay 20, 2021June 15, 20212021 Q2Face-covering requirementPrimary source readPDF 190 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-034Executive release: King County reaches 70 percent fully vaccinated (16 and older); indoor mask directive liftedKing County reaches 70 percent vaccination milestone (June 15, 2021)King County Executive Dow Constantine; Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyJune 15, 2021June 30, 20212021 Q2Face-covering requirementPrimary source readPDF 391 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-017Executive Order 2021-06: COVID-19 Civil Emergency, Extensions of City Closures and Relief MeasuresExecutive Order 2021-06Mayor Jenny A. DurkanCityJune 18, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q22021 Q3Courts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 224 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-036Joint recommendation of the regional health officers: universal indoor masking regardless of vaccination statusRegion's top health officials issue unified advice: Everyone should mask up in indoor public spacesLocal health officers of eight Puget Sound counties (joint statement published by Public Health - Seattle & King County); joined by all 35 local health jurisdictions Aug. 12, 2021CountyJuly 26, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementPrimary source readPDF 186 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-018COVID-19 Mayoral Directive #9 (mandatory vaccination of all City employees; telework and facility protocols)COVID-19 Mayoral Directive #9Mayor Jenny A. DurkanCityAug. 9, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Telework mandateFace-covering requirementWorkplace rulesVaccination or testingPrimary source readPDF 179 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-024Executive release announcing the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all King County Executive Branch employees (Executive Order issued Aug. 10, 2021)Executive Constantine announces vaccination requirement for King County employeesKing County Executive Dow ConstantineCountyAug. 10, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Workplace rulesVaccination or testingPrimary source readPDF 631 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-002Local Health Officer Outdoor and Indoor Masking OrdersDr. Jeff Duchin, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountySept. 7, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Gathering capFace-covering requirementEvents and venuesWorkplace rulesPrimary source readPDF 380 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-025Executive release announcing the outdoor mask order of Sept. 2, 2021King County outdoor mask order release (Sept. 2, 2021)King County Executive Dow Constantine (release describing MET-SEA-002)CountySept. 7, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Face-covering requirementEvents and venuesConfirmed from a secondary sourceSource
Ex. MET-SEA-038Public Health release announcing the outdoor mask order for events of 500 or moreMasks required at large outdoor gatherings in King CountyPublic Health - Seattle & King CountyCountySept. 7, 2021Sept. 30, 20212021 Q3Gathering capFace-covering requirementEvents and venuesPrimary source readPDF 283 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-001Local Health Officer Verification of Vaccination OrderDr. Jeff Duchin, Local Health Officer, Public Health - Seattle & King CountyCountySept. 16, 2021Oct. 25, 20212021 Q3Capacity limitGathering capEvents and venuesVaccination or testingPrimary source readPDF 235 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-019Executive Order 2021-07: COVID-19 Civil Emergency, Extensions of City Closures and Relief MeasuresExecutive Order 2021-07Mayor Jenny A. DurkanCitySept. 21, 2021Jan. 15, 20222021 Q3Courts and public officesOtherPrimary source readPDF 219 KB
Ex. MET-SEA-027Executive release: agreement with unions over the vaccine mandate for County employees (reciting the Executive Order of Aug. 10, 2021)King County, Coalition, and other unions successfully reach an agreement over vaccine mandate for County…King County Executive Dow Constantine; Office of Labor RelationsCountyOct. 18, 2021not dated2021 Q3Workplace rulesVaccination or testingPrimary source readPDF 1.1 MB
Ex. MET-SEA-026Executive release: King County to require proof of vaccination or negative test for many outdoor and indoor events and establishmentsKing County to require proof of vaccination or negative test for many outdoor and indoor events and…King County Executive Dow Constantine (release describing MET-SEA-001)CountyOct. 25, 2021not datedGathering capEvents and venuesVaccination or testingConfirmed from a secondary sourceSource
Ex. MET-SEA-037Public Health release announcing the vaccination-verification requirementConfirm your vaccination: A new requirement for many activities in King CountyPublic Health - Seattle & King CountyCountyOct. 25, 2021Oct. 25, 2021Gathering capEvents and venuesVaccination or testingPrimary source readPDF 157 KB

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The State

The local orders of Seattle ran inside the statewide regime. The State file holds the governor's orders, the health department's rules and the courts' emergency orders that reached the same businesses. All fifty States and the District →

WashingtonWA · 110 instruments · 46 in force in 2021 Q3General restrictions ended June 30, 2021.