That wasn’t so bad, was it? Just a little more than four months after putting the restrictions in place, King County and Seattle are set to lift requirements for customers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to access indoor spaces like restaurants, bars, and theaters.

You can put down your vax cards and apps as of March 1st.

With new COVID-19 cases and hospitalization decreasing, and over 87% of King County residents over age 12 fully vaccinated, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced Public Health – Seattle & King County is lifting the local health order requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for entry into indoor recreational settings, or outdoor events. The vaccination verification policy will no longer be in effect as of March 1.

“The steady decline in positive cases is much needed positive news. Seattle will continue to follow public health guidance and adopt strategies that best keep our communities safe,” Mayor Bruce Harrell said in the Wednesday afternoon announcement.

“Businesses and organizations may continue to implement their own vaccination verification rules for their establishments,” the announcement reminds.

The lifted requirements will also apply at major outdoor events where the vaccination check policy has been in effectMeanwhile, King County and the City of Seattle have also announced remote employees would begin returning to offices in March, a subject Harrell also included in his State of the City address Tuesday.

The COVID-19 vaccination card checking era at Capitol Hill bars and restaurants appears to have been a relatively short one. King County put the requirements in place in late October requiring venues ask patrons to show either proof of vaccination or a recent COVID test for entry. While the measure was hoped to help slow the spread of the virus and protect employees, the brunt of making the checks and managing sometimes frustrated customers fell on those same workers.

The slowing spread of the virus following the winter’s omicron variant-driven surge is also bringing about changes in local vaccination strategies as the county and city wind down some resources from the response.

Come March, Seattle will also end its pandemic-long restriction on evictions. Harrell announced a two-week extension before a full lifting of the restrictions at the end of February. Residential tenants will have important protections passed by the council in 2020 that will extend eviction restrictions for “at least six months” to renters “who demonstrate enduring financial hardship preventing them from paying rent.” Commercial tenants behind on their rents will not be as fortunate.

After a massive surge in new cases, followed by increased hospitalizations, and deaths, the spread of the omicron variant in King County has dropped back to levels last seen in early December.

For now, you’ll still have to have a mask for your indoor recreation. The West Coast thawing of COVID-19 mask requirements hasn’t yet reached Washington.

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