New city rule ‘to help enforce state-mandated business requirements’ aimed at COVID-19 prevention

With Public Health Seattle-King County stepping up its enforcement of health rules for restaurants, the city announced today that “the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) has issued a new public health and safety measure to help enforce state-mandated business requirements, including protective face coverings, social distancing and capacity limitations. For customers, residents or employees who have concerns about non-compliance, FAS will conduct outreach, provide education, and help to enforce Governor Inslee’s Safe Start plan in non-food business establishments across the city.” Here’s how the announcement expands on that:

… Effective immediately, FAS will begin implementing the new measure through the use of a Director’s Rule. Understanding the complexities of navigating the COVID-19 environment, the City’s focus is primarily to conduct outreach and education to help businesses comply with the new rule. With repeated and/or egregious offenses, businesses may have their City of Seattle business license suspended and may be charged with a crime that carries a maximum penalty of up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Individuals or employees who are concerned that businesses are not enforcing the face coverings mandate, practicing social distancing or adhering to occupancy limits, and other measures identified in the statewide order can use the Find It, Fix It app or online form or call 206-684-2489 (CITY) to report their concerns. Businesses can also learn more by visiting the FAS website.

Read the new emergency rule here or below:

14 Replies to "New city rule 'to help enforce state-mandated business requirements' aimed at COVID-19 prevention"

  • justme July 17, 2020 (6:02 pm)

    masks can make a huge difference. my mom is in a facility in ellensburg. workers weren’t wearing masks.  they went from 2 cases on the 8th to 53 yesterday!

    • flimflam July 17, 2020 (8:30 pm)

      wow, hope your mom is ok.

  • Tuwanda01 July 17, 2020 (7:17 pm)

    What the hell?

  • flimflam July 17, 2020 (8:34 pm)

    i wish all businesses would enforce the mask rule indoors aggressively, or at least don’t allow an unmasked customer to go unchecked, politely – “in accordance with state mandated business requirements could you  put a mask on or kindly leave and return when you have one?”several businesses seem reluctant to say anything while others are not quite as shy.

    • C July 17, 2020 (10:48 pm)

      Based on the first comment above I assumed there would be an article somewhere regarding a facility with such a concerning increase in cases.

  • C July 17, 2020 (8:54 pm)

    First, I am not indicating the following based on any mask bias whatsoever.  IMO it needs to be said that infection did not necessarily come from unmasked workers.  There is nothing to say masks would have kept it from happening.  Masks are not a sure thing.  I was also looking for a link to news on this but cannot find.  Anyone have a link? 

    • WSB July 17, 2020 (8:58 pm)

      “News” on what?

    • flimflam July 17, 2020 (10:08 pm)

      infection is coming from “unmasked anyone”….

  • Bus rider July 17, 2020 (9:29 pm)

    Are gyms open? There is a Crossfit gym that was open and an indoor climbing gym in SODO that looked open. 

  • Mj July 17, 2020 (10:14 pm)

    I hate wearing a mask, but do wear it while shopping and at scheduled gym time. There is an analogy to this ……..

  • Mj July 17, 2020 (10:41 pm)

    Bus rider – some gyms are open by appointment only limiting the number of rats at a time.  Further the rats are requested to sanitize the equipment after use and sanitizing hand lotion is readily available and used by the rats.  Masks are required, but can be removed while doing a lift or using a machine.

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