Restaurant workers in Washington added to next eligibility tier for vaccine

Thousands of Washington hospitality workers previously signed a petition asking to be included with other essential workers in COVID-19 vaccine eligibility.

The petition, organized by the Seattle Restaurant Alliance and Washington Hospitality Association, asked Gov. Jay Inslee to include food and hospitality workers in the tier with those who work in grocery stores, food manufacturing, and food processing. That tier became eligible Wednesday, March 17.

While restaurant workers were not added to that tier, they are now included in the expanded eligibility that will open on March 31, announced by the governor on Thursday.

Gov. Inslee: Vaccine eligibility in Washington expands again March 31

Restaurant workers have pushed to be included earlier in the vaccine prioritization because they continue to work around unmasked people, and because capacity for indoor dining will expand statewide on March 22 when Washington moves into Phase 3.

In response to Gov. Inslee’s announcement that restaurant workers would be eligible at the end of the month, Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, said it’s a “strong step” in ensuring equitable vaccine distribution, but it leaves out a significant portion of the essential workforce in hotel workers.

Read Anton’s full statement below:

“We celebrate today’s news that many hospitality workers can receive the vaccine starting at the end of the month. Hospitality employees have been on the front lines of the pandemic, serving as essential for the past year. Forty percent of our industry’s employees are BIPOC, so today’s announcement is a strong step in ensuring equitable vaccine distribution for all essential workers.

“However, it leaves out a significant portion of essential workforce, and we are disappointed that many hotel workers are left out of this next phase. These essential workers have welcomed and worked to keep safe first responders, individuals needing to quarantine and isolate away from family, those in need of temporary housing and travelers throughout this pandemic. They are tasked with cleaning and maintaining these necessary temporary living spaces. We will continue to advocate for these essential workers to have access to the vaccine so they can continue to keep the community safe.

“We are thankful to the thousands of people around the state who signed our petition to the governor. Your support for our industry has helped ensure our workers will get access to the vaccine.”

Seattle Restaurant Alliance President Linda Di Lello Morton agrees that the news that restaurant workers will soon be eligible for vaccinations is worthy of celebration, though she adds that the alliance believes they should have been included now with other “essential workers.”

“The Seattle Restaurant Alliance celebrates today’s news that restaurant workers will soon be able to get the vaccine. While we believe restaurant workers should be eligible now with other ‘essential workers,’ a date certain within the next two weeks is a critical win,” Di Lello Morton said. “Additionally, the diversity of the restaurant community will enhance equity in distribution of the vaccine. We have been working with the Washington Hospitality Association on this issue for months, and we want to thank the thousands of people who signed our petition in support of this effort. Together, we made a difference, and restaurant workers will now be able to get the vaccine at the end of this month.”

“A huge thank you to the thousands of restaurant workers who have been on the front lines of the pandemic, upholding some of the strictest safety standards in the nation while keeping this city fed and safe,” she added.

For those who are eligible, the state created a new Vaccine Locator tool to help find COVID-19 vaccine appointments near you. To find out if you’re eligible, use the state’s Phase Finder tool.

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