Page last updated June 2, 2021 at 12:14 p.m.   

We are committed to supporting employers in Whatcom County during this unprecedented challenge of COVID-19. You can find information below that should help answer questions you might have. If you are unable to find the information you need, please contact us:

By email:  covid@co.whatcom.wa.us

By phone: 360-778-6100

I am looking for:

• Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery
• COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Businesses
• What to Do If a Worker Has COVID-19 or Is a Close Contact
• Employer Tool Kit: What to Do When COVID-19 Comes to Work
• Where to Get Tested for COVID-19
• Economic Support

Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery Reopening Guidance

Beginning May 18, every county will remain in or move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap to Recovery plan. Individual counties may opt to remain in an earlier phase. For now, Whatcom County remains in Phase 3. 

On June 30, Washington State will fully reopen and there will be no more restrictions on social gatherings. Restrictions could lift sooner if 70% of Washingtonians over the age of 16 initiate vaccination before June 30. If at any point - before or after June 30 - the statewide ICU occupancy exceeds 90%, restrictions may be reinstated.

More information about Healthy Washington, Business Guidance, and What is Open.

The re-opening plan for Washington State outlines when and how businesses from different sectors may resume operations.

• The workplace safety and coronavirus prevention recommendations and requirements established by WA DOH, OSHA, and L&I are still in effect. 
• Whatcom County's Safer Stronger Together Campaign website has resources for businesses:
  • Free Signage
  • Sector Guidance - includes peer-to-peer guidance on operating your business safely.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Businesses

We have Fully Vaccinated Mask Guidance for businesses and organizations in three languages: English, Spanish/español, Russian/Русский

We have also developed a guide, COVID Vaccine Employer Resources (PDF), that offers expert advice to help employers support their employees and communicate effectively about COVID-19 vaccination.

We are updating our COVID-19 Vaccine page regularly with information about the COVID-19 vaccine in Whatcom County. 

What to Do If a Worker Has COVID-19 or Is a Close Contact

If you have a worker who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or is a close contact of someone with COVID-19, they will need to stay home and not go to work. As an employer, you must also contact our Business Response Team (BRT) so that we can assist you. Contact us:

• By email: health-BRT@co.whatcom.wa.us
• By phone: 360-778-6100

We will work with you to keep your business open while ensuring the health and safety of your employees. 

Employer Tool Kit: What to Do When COVID-19 Comes to Work

Our toolkit has guidance and resources to help your business or organization respond quickly and effectively when a worker has confirmed COVID-19 or has been a close contact.

• What to do when COVID comes to work: Checklist for Employers (PDF)
• Sample messaging for employers to use:
  • Tips for Talking to Staff When COVID Comes to Work (PDF)
  • Messaging for communicating with the public (PDF) 
  • Messaging for communicating with your employees (PDF)  
•  Documents to share with employees:
  • COVID-19: What is Contact Tracing? (PDF)
  • COVID-19 Contact Tracing: What will they ask me? (PDF) 
  • What to do if you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19? (PDF) 
  • What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19? (PDF)
  • When can I return to work after COVID-19 exposure? (PDF)