Vaccinated-Only Seating: How WA Is Boosting Venue Capacity

OLYMPIA, WA — All indications are that a large swath of the state will be re-entering Phase 2 lockdown later this week, forcing many businesses to reimpose old pandemic restrictions and severely cutting max capacity at bars, restaurants, retailers and more.

But those restrictions will not be as intense for sporting venues and faith-based organizations, thanks to some last-minute guidance from the governor's office.

The guidance, released Monday, allows indoor and outdoor spectator events and religious organizations the ability to boost their seating capacity by setting up "vaccinated sections" — seating only available to people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Here's how it works:

Outdoor facilities

Outdoor spectator events are allowed to add vaccinated sections until their total capacity reaches 50 percent of the maximum, or 22,000 people, whichever is lower. The 22,000 head count includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated sections, and the venue can only seat 9,000 unvaccinated people total.

Indoor facilities

Indoor venues can add vaccinated sections up to half capacity as well, but with a maximum of 2,000 people. There cannot be more than 200 unvaccinated people indoors (300 for rooms bigger than 100,000 square feet) in counties in Phase 2. Phase 3 counties can have up to 400 people at indoor venues, or 600 in rooms bigger than 100,000 square feet.

Faith-based organizations

Religious organizations with vaccinated-only sections can increase their capacity to 50 percent, even in Phase 2.

Proof of vaccination

To be seated in one of these vaccinated-only sections, attendees will need to present either:

• A vaccination card.
• A photo of a vaccination card.
• Other documentation from a healthcare provider like an electronic health record or state Immunization Information System record.

Records that are not verified by heath care providers will not be accepted, the governor's office says.

As for which counties are facing the reimposed lockdowns, we'll know more Tuesday. The Washington State Department of Health spent Monday reviewing data on all 39 counties, and say about a third of them are at risk of failing the Phase 3 metrics and falling back into Phase 2. The review results will be announced Tuesday. Any counties that failed will be moved back on Friday.

Read more: Many WA Counties Could Move Backward This Week