8.23 Gov. Inslee announces new indoor mask mandate effective Aug. 23!

• The mandate includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with limited exemptions in office spaces not accessed by the public and small indoor settings. Those who work alone are also exempt.

• Facemasks are available at the Wenatchee Valley Chamber for businesses that need them. Please contact us by phone at (509) 662-2116 or email at info@wenatchee.org.

8.11 Health Insurance FAQ - Visit our blog here!

8.10 L&I ISSUED EMERGENCY RULES ON PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY REPORTING AND NOTIFICATION - Read more here!

• Provides presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for frontline employees, except for certain healthcare employers, and the presumption of occupational disease may be rebutted by providing a preponderance of evidence.

• Requires certain reporting requirements enforceable under the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.

8.1 Plastic Bag Ban Effective Oct. 1st, 2021 - CLICK HERE

8-cent bag charge

• THE 8-CENT BAG CHARGE IS FOR ANY BAG PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER,REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT IS AT PICKUP OR POINT OF SALE.
• BUSINESSES COLLECT AND KEEP THIS FEE TO RECOVER SOME OF THE COST OFPROVIDING THE NEW PACKAGING, THIS FEE IS TAXABLE AND SUBJECT TO SALESTAX SINCE RETAIL STORES ARE SELLING THE BAGS.
• THIS FEE MUST BE SHOWN ON THE CUSTOMERS SALES RECEIPT.
• RETAILERS CANNOT “EAT THE COST” OF THE FEE AS THIS IS INTENDED TOPROMOTE THE USE OF REUSABLE BAGS BY THE CONSUMER.
• IF ANY BUSINESSES ARE NOT COMPLYING WITH THIS NEWLY IMPLEMENTED LAW,REPEATED AND CONTINUOUS INSTANCES CAN RESULT IN UP TO A $250 FINE.
• FILM PLASTIC BAGS TRADITIONALLY USED BY CUSTOMERS IN STORES FOR BULKITEMS MAY BE USED FOR INDIVIDUAL BAKERY GOODS, LOAVES OF BREAD, ANDOTHER PASTRIES.

Where can I purchase bag compliant bags?

• GOUSA - CONTACT TIFFANY@GOUSAQUALITY.COM
• THE US FOODS CHEFS’ STORE LOCATED AT 200 FERRY STREET
• WEBSTAURANTSTORE.COM IS AN EASY WEBSITE TO LOCATE “ECO FRIENDLYDISPOSABLES” INCLUDING BAGS AND BULK PRICING.

Looking forward...

• 2022: REQUIRE RESTAURANTS AND FOOD SERVICE BUSINESSES TO ONLY GIVECUSTOMERS DISPOSABLE SERVICEWARE UPON REQUEST.
• 2023: REQUIRE MINIMUM RECYCLED CONTENT IN SEVERAL TYPES OF SINGLE-USEPLASTICS, STARTING WITH TRASH BAGS AND BEVERAGE BOTTLES.
• 2024: RESTRICT THE SALE OF SPECIFIC TYPES OF EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE (E.G.,STYROFOAM™) PRODUCTS, STARTING IN 2023 WITH PACKING PEANUTS. THERESTRICTIONS WILL APPLY TO FOOD SERVICE CONTAINERS AND RECREATIONALCOOLERS.

7.6 Employees will pay for mandatory Long-Term Care Insurance - Read about WA Care Fund HERE!

• The mandatory payroll deduction will begin January 1, 2022. Washington workers will initially pay $0.58 per every $100 of income, with no cap limiting the amount employees can pay in deductions and the amount of the deduction may increase over time. Employees who are eligible for the long-term care services can begin applying for benefits on January 1, 2025.

6.25 Paid Leave: NEW Legislation - Beginning July 25 - "You can qualify for family leave if you are caring for someone who has an expectation to rely on you for care—whether you live together or not."

4.12 Chelan / Douglas / Grant / Okanogan Counties are now in Phase 3 Effective Monday April 12th! Scroll down for all phase 3 guidelines by industry sector!

NEW: Event / Fair Guidance

Healthy Washington Chart

Governor's Reopening Guidelines Website

3.1 Important Reference Documents

• County Phase Status (“Roadmap to Recovery”)
• Outdoor and Open-air Structures (with FAQ)
• Facial Coverings Guidance for Businesses
• Voluntary Contact Information

Healthy Washington Requirements

The following business activities must adhere to the occupancy and operation requirements outlined for their region’s Healthy Washington phase:

Spectator Events

• Spectator Events (Spectator event guidance goes into effect on March 22, with the exception of youth and high school sports which can operate under the guidance starting on March 18)

Religious and Faith-Based Organizations

• Religious and Faith-Based Organizations

Professional Services

• Professional Services - Updated March 19

Personal Services

• Personal Services - Updated March 19

Eating and Drinking Establishments

• Eating and Drinking Establishments - Updated March 17

Weddings, Funerals and Events

• Weddings, Funerals and Events

Sports, Recreation and Fitness

• Fitness and Training
• Outdoor Recreation
• Water Recreation
• Sporting Activities - Updated March 4
  • Sporting Activities FAQ
• Racing: non-motorized and motorized
• Golf - Updated March 18

Indoor Entertainment Establishments

• Indoor Entertainment
• Bowling - Updated March 18
• Card Rooms - Updated March 18
• Movie Theaters - Updated March 19
• Museums - Updated March 19

Outdoor Entertainment Establishments​

• Drive-In Theaters
• Zoos and Aquariums - Updated March 18

All employers must follow COVID-19 prevention protocols for employees as required by the Department of Labor and Industries. Industry-specific workplace requirements are listed below:  

Additional Industry Requirements​

• Agricultural Industry
  • Agricultural Industry Safety Plan Interpretive Guidance
• Agricultural Events - Updated March 19
• Agritourism - Updated March 19
• Car Washes
• Construction
• Domestic Services
• In Store Retail - Updated March 17
• Libraries
  • WA Talking Book and Braille Library
• Manufacturing
• Miscellaneous Venues - Updated March 19
• Motion Picture Industry
• Outdoor Maintenance/Landscaping
• Pet Grooming
• Professional Photography- Updated March 19
• Real Estate - Updated March 17
• Recovery Support Groups
• Theater and Performing Arts
• Transportation
• Vehicle and Vessel Sales
• Workforce Education Programs

Financial Resources:

For an overview of all financial programs, please watch our event with Cordell Neher and Company here or read through their presentation for helpful information.

Paycheck Protection Program – https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program

The PPP forgiveness application is out now, application available: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program/ppp-loan-forgiveness

EIDL Loan – https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/covid-19-economic-injury-disaster-loans

Employee Tax Retention – https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/employee-retention-credit

SBA Financial Relief Website - https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options

City of East Wenatchee GRANT – (Only for businesses in City of East Wenatchee with 10 or less employees) https://www.cdrpa.org/cdbg-microenterprise-assistance

Legislative Updates:

Sasha Sleiman & Blair McHaney Testify in Support of Senate Bill 5114: https://vimeo.com/503604146

What Do I Do If an Employee Tests Positive??

Here are some resources to help you navigate the process if you have someone test positive at your place of employment:

What to do if an Employee Tests Positive - One page summary from WVCC & CDHD

Checklist for Businesses with Suspected or Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 - Washington State Department of Health

COVID-19 Employer Contact Tracing Guide - Challenge Seattle

Guidance for Daily COVID-19 Symptom Screening for Staff and Guests - Washington State Department of Health

Safe Cleaning and Disinfection Guidance for Public Spaces - Washington State Department of Health

Workplace Safety - Labor & Industries

Mental Health Resources - Unsure where to go for counseling services for you or your employees? Please take a look at this resource guide for further assistance. Feel free to print this to have posted at your office.

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