Dozens of Seattle bars / restaurants require proof of vaccination

SEATTLE (AP) – At least 60 Seattle bars and restaurants on Friday began requiring customers to prove they’ve been vaccinated so they can eat or dine indoors as the highly infectious delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading in the state of Washington.

The Seattle Times reports that the self-imposed warrant includes Capitol Hill bars The Unicorn, Linda’s Tavern, Rumba and Canon, and comes as the state sees a fifth wave of infection.

At least a dozen bars temporarily closed last week after their employees tested positive for COVID-19 or came into contact with an infected person. This has led many bar owners to advertise on social media that proof of vaccination will be required for dining or drinking on their premises.

“No shirt, no shoes, no vaccine, no entry,” said Linda Derschang, owner of Linda’s Tavern and Oddfellows Cafe + Bar in Capitol Hill and King’s Hardware in Ballard. “It’s about protecting our people and protecting our customers.”

The bar industry cannot afford to shut down again because of the pandemic, and everyone must do their part, she said.

As institutions set their own rules for proof of vaccination, self-imposed restrictions vary.

With the Delta variant lagging behind, it’s likely that the list of Seattle-area bars and restaurants that require proof of vaccination will continue to grow. A list can be found here.