Page updated Friday, February 12, 2021 at 1:30 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
• Where to Get Tested for COVID-19
• Economic Support

Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery Reopening Guidance

On March 11, 2021, the Governor announced that Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery will be transitioning from a regional approach to a county-by-county evaluation process.

All counties in Washington will move into Phase 3. The move to the new phase will go into effect Monday, March 22. Under the updated plan, counties will be individually evaluated every three weeks. The evaluations will occur on Mondays with any possible changes taking effect Friday, with the first evaluation scheduled for April 12.

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

The new reopening 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.
• Get the latest Washington State Safe Start guidance, which includes information about economic support, workplace safety, and business Q&A.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Businesses

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

Learn more about COVID-19 Vaccine planning in Washington State with this Phase 1 infographic and guidance summary for Phase 1 vaccine allocation prioritization. 

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)