What City Employees Need to Know

Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the City of Spokane has made the health and safety of our employees, our visitors, and our community a top priority. We have persevered and continue to do our best to reduce the spread of the disease as we maintain the critical public services our citizens rely on. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Get Your COVID-19 Questions Answered

Please review the City’s updated COVID-19 guidance based on the most recent public health data and protocols outlined by the CDC and WA State Department of Health.

COVID-19 Employee FAQ

  • Do you have questions about COVID-19?
  • Did you test positive for COVID-19?
  • Were you exposed to COVID-19?

Contact the HR COVID Response Team at erahrcovidr@spokanecity.org

Continue to Monitor COVID-19 in the Workplace

As data continues to show a significant decline in positive COVID-19 case trends in our area, the City of Spokane will be phasing back into a work environment that more closely resembles pre-pandemic operations at City Hall and other City Facilities. We will continue to monitor the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Level and will adjust as necessary. Additional instruction from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and the Washington State Department of Health could cause future adjustments to the current guidelines.

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

  • COVID-19 vaccines are available to everyone 6 months and older.
  • COVID-19 vaccine third dose (additional dose) is recommended for immunocompromised individuals ages 6 months and older.
  • COVID-19 vaccine boosters are recommended for everyone age 12 and older. People 18 and older should get their booster either two months after their dose of Johnson & Johnson or five months after their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer. People ages 12-17 can only get a Pfizer booster.
  • People over the age of 50, and certain immunocompromised individuals, may now receive an additional booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine if four months or more have passed since their last booster dose.
  • People 18 and older who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago, may now receive a second booster dose of Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
  • When getting your COVID-19 vaccine, ask your provider about the flu vaccine.
  • CDC Definitions Fully Vaccinated vs Up to Date.
      • Everyone is still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after the single-dose J&J/Janssen vaccine. Fully vaccinated, however, is not the same as having the best protection.
      • You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible.

For additional vaccine information: Vaccines for COVID-19 | CDC
Help finding a vaccine: Vaccinate WA: Find COVID-19 Vaccine Providers Near You

Face Coverings

  • As of March 12, 2022, City employees and visitors are no longer required to wear masks in City facilities.
  • While masks are no longer required in many indoor settings, a proper fitting mask is known to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you are symptomatic, on days five through ten of a recent COVID-19 infection or have been exposed to COVID-19, we do recommend wearing a mask.
  • Employees and visitors who prefer to wear a mask are encouraged to continue that practice. We will continue to respect the individual needs, comforts, and choices of our team members. As a reminder, there will be zero tolerance for any incidents of hazing, shaming, or other harassment related to mask wearing.
  • Additional local masking guidance: Face Coverings | Spokane Regional Health District (srhd.org)

Tips for Staying Healthy

The Spokane Regional Health District encourages people to take the following steps to stay healthy:

  • Stay home when you are sick. Staying home when ill prevents the spread of infections to others.
  • Use good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene in all community settings, including homes, childcare facilities, schools, workplaces and other places where people gather. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and put the used tissue in a waste basket. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
  • Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60-95% alcohol) if you can’t wash.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth: Germs often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Practice other good health habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
  • Have contingency plans for your family during school closures. Ask your employer about working from home, not only to prepare for school closures, but also to prevent possible exposure.
  • Support each other, regardless of race, ethnicity or nationality, and including individuals who have become ill. Show compassion and support for individuals and communities most closely impacted and anyone who might be sick.
  • Do you have travel plans? Take time to read the CDC’s guidance on travel (Travel | CDC) to see how your plans may be affected.

Additional COVID-19 Resources

There is significant information about COVID-19 and all that it encompasses. The most reliable information can be found on these sites: