More Washington residents to be eligible for vaccines March 31, eviction moratorium extended
Nearly 2 million more Washington residents will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccines at the end of March, and the statewide moratorium on evictions will be extended through the end of June, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday afternoon.
The two announcements were part of a cascade of news Inslee shared at a virtual press conference Thursday afternoon.
Two more tiers will be eligible March 31
Vaccine eligibility will be extended to include tiers 3 and 4 of Phase 1B on March 31, adding nearly 2 million more residents to the 3 million currently eligible. The timeline is possible because of increased supply and the state’s success in meeting its vaccination goals, Inslee said.
“This timeline is much faster than we would’ve predicted a couple months ago,” Inslee said. “And it’s thanks to the tremendous work of the Biden Administration of dramatically increasing the production of these vaccines.”
Eligibility was extended to Phase 1B-2 on Wednesday. That tier includes workers in settings such as agriculture, grocery stores, and law enforcement; pregnant women; and those with disabilities.
Among those added to the list at the end of this month will be anyone ages 60 to 65 and anyone with two or more comorbidities, or underlying health conditions, listed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website as increasing risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
The CDC webpage linked in state guidance includes two lists. Adults with conditions on one of the lists “are at increased risk” of severe illness, and that list includes cancer, heart failure, a weakened immune system, obesity, sickle cell disease, smoking, and type 2 diabetes. Adults with conditions on the other list “might be at an increased risk.” That list includes asthma, cystic fibrosis, hypertension, dementia, being overweight, and type 1 diabetes, among other conditions.
The two underlying conditions can come from either list, according to Department of Health spokesperson Franji Mayes.
People living in congregate settings also become eligible March 31, including those in correctional facilities, group homes for people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness who live in or access services in congregate settings.
More workers in congregate settings will become eligible too, including people who work in restaurants, manufacturing, and construction, according to Inslee’s office.
Restaurant workers’ exclusion from the first round of workers eligible prompted disappointment from the Washington Hospitality Association, which represents restaurants, hotels, and some entertainment venues.
“We celebrate today’s news that many hospitality workers can receive the vaccine starting at the end of the month,” Anthony Anton, the trade group’s President and CEO, said in a statement Thursday. “Hospitality employees have been on the front lines of the pandemic, serving as essential for the past year.”
Anton still expressed disappointment that many hotel workers were left out of the expansion.
The federal government has directed states to make all residents eligible by May 1, and Inslee said it’s unlikely Washington will open eligibility to everyone substantially before that. But the timeline could move up if vaccination rates increase dramatically.
Eviction, utility shutoff moratoriums extended
The state’s moratorium on evictions, which has been in place for a year, will stay in place through June 30, Inslee announced.
State and federal funds have been set aside for rental assistance, he said, and more aid is on the way through the recently passed federal American Rescue Plan Act.
“It’s important to note that these funds help both tenants and landlords through these difficult economic times,” Inslee said. “I’ve said each time that we’ve extended this moratorium: If you can pay rent, pay it. It’s the right thing to do. We are acting in good faith for a lot of people, and we know ... they would be in some very dire situations without this moratorium.”
The governor also has extended the utility shutoff moratorium through July 31, and updated a proclamation that bans debt garnishment on federal COVID-19 relief payments.
Long-term care visits resume
Inslee also announced indoor visits to nursing homes and long-term care facilities can resume if the resident or the visitor is fully vaccinated, though outdoor visitation is preferred.
“Compassionate care” visits are still allowed no matter a person’s vaccination status — that includes visits to residents who face serious health and emotional crises, according to the state Department of Social & Health Services.
New way to find doses, bolstered hotline
The governor also shared updates on public-private partnerships that are aiding the state’s vaccination efforts.
The Department of Health has launched a Vaccine Locator online tool with the goal of simplifying the appointment-scheduling process. That can be found here: https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/.
For those who can’t access or navigate online tools to find appointments, the state’s vaccine hotline will get extra support from Amazon call center representatives. That phone number is 1-800-525-0127.
And Challenge Seattle, a group of high-powered CEOs led by former Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire, is creating a “playbook” for mass vaccination sites, according to the governor’s office, to guide organizations that are running or planning to run clinics.
This story was originally published March 18, 2021 at 2:44 PM with the headline "More Washington residents to be eligible for vaccines March 31, eviction moratorium extended."
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