Spectator events, religious organizations can increase capacity with vaccinated sections
May 3, 2021, 2:24 PM
Unused seats in T-Mobile Park are tied up to mark pod seating. (MyNorthwest photo)
(MyNorthwest photo)
Gov. Jay Inslee issued new guidance Monday for spectator events and religious and faith-based organizations that allows increased capacity by adding sections for vaccinated attendees.
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The change is effective immediately, but only outlines the guidance for vaccination sections. The governor’s office previously clarified to KIRO Radio that the state would be providing guidance for businesses, but it will not be a mandate.
Officials also told KIRO Radio that enforcement of any rules regarding vaccinations will be on the individual organizations or businesses. The option to allow unvaccinated people will remain, but venues that require vaccination would be able to have additional capacity and fewer spacing limitations.
Under the new guidance for spectator events: “Outdoor facilities may add vaccinated sections until their total capacity is 50% maximum or 22,000 people, whichever is lower, inclusive of both vaccinated and unvaccinated sections. Outdoor unvaccinated spectators can not exceed 9,000.”
“Indoor facilities may add vaccinated sections until their total capacity is 50% maximum or 2,000 people, whichever is lower, inclusive of both vaccinated and unvaccinated sections. Indoor unvaccinated spectators in Phase 2 cannot exceed 200 people or 300 for rooms greater than 100,000 square feet of space — and indoor unvaccinated spectators in Phase 3 cannot exceed 400 people, or 600 for rooms greater than 100,000 square feet of space.”
For religious and faith-based organizations, the new guidance allows for the facilities to increase overall capacity to 50% in Phase 2 with vaccinated-only sections.
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As acceptable proof of vaccination, the Office of the Governor lists the vaccination cards, a photo of the vaccination card as a separate document, a photo of the attendee’s vaccination card stored on a phone or electronic device, or documentation of vaccination from a health care provider, electronic health record, or state immunization information system.
Find the full spectator guidance here, and the full religious organization guidance here.
