SEATTLE - Seattle and King County Thursday announced an indoor vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms, movie theaters, and other entertainment venues. The mandate will also apply to outdoor events with more than 500 people in attendance.

Starting October 25, patrons must show proof that they are fully vaccinated or provide a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of entry.

"The way that this works the best is if people make the right choices," Mayor Jenny Durkan said in an interview with Q13 News.

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Asked whether the mandate would isolate those who are unvaccinated, Durkan said that would be their choice.

"For the people who say ‘I just don’t want it’ well then you’re making a choice. You’re making a choice that by doing that you can’t participate in things that are really important to society."

The county’s order includes exceptions for take-out orders, outdoor dining, and grocery stores. Small restaurants, defined as those with seating capacity for fewer than 12 people, will phase into the mandate on December 6.

King County becomes the third Washington county to put down such a requirement. Jefferson and Clallam counties instituted indoor vaccine mandates for restaurants and bars starting September 4.

https://www.q13fox.com/news/king-county-announces-indoor-vaccine-requirement-to-fight-covid-19-spread