End of Washington State COVID-19 State of Emergency: Update to ESIT Providers
Date: October 27, 2022
To: Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) Early Intervention Providers
Subject: End of WA State COVID-19 State of Emergency
Dear ESIT Providers,
On September 8, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee announced that on Monday October 31, 2022, the COVID-19 state of emergency will end and the remaining COVID-19 emergency proclamations will be rescinded. This memo addresses how these changes will impact DCYF recommendations and requirements for ESIT service provision. This memo is an update to Memo #2022-01 Masking Guidance Memo for ESIT Providers, published March 11, 2022.
The Face Coverings Order issued by the state Department of Health on August 12, 2022 will remain in place for health care settings after the state of emergency ends. Vaccination requirements for health care and education workers will end, but employers will continue to be allowed to require them, if they choose.
While the official WA COVID-19 state of emergency will end October 31, 2022, COVID-19 remains a potential workplace and community hazard. The DCYF ESIT State Leadership Office strongly recommends the continued use of vaccinations and masking as primary strategies to protect children, families, and providers.
As the public health landscape continues to change, the DCYF ESIT State Leadership Office reminds providers to:
- Draw on the same individualized, sensitive, and supportive approach to safety, in line with ESIT’s Guiding Principles, that has guided our services throughout the pandemic.
- Continue implementation of your ESIT Provider Agency Multi-Stage Reentry Plan, which includes masking requirements and transmission prevention strategies. For more information, see the Multi-Stage Reentry Framework for Reentry to In-Person Services.
- Note that after October 31, 2022, COVID-19 will no longer be an acceptable justification for providing ESIT services in non-natural environments. For more information, see the Multi-Stage Reentry Framework for Reentry to In-Person Services and Remote and In-Person Service Delivery: Documenting Methods, Settings and Natural Environments.
Ongoing updates and more information may be found at the following state agency COVID-19 webpages:
If you have questions, please contact your regional Technical Assistance Specialist or Laurie Thomas, ESIT Program Administrator, at laurie.thomas@dcyf.wa.gov.
Thank you for all you do to support infants, toddlers and their families.
Original Date: March 11, 2022 | Revised: October 31, 2022
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