Restaurant workers not eligible for vaccine under congregate worker phase, DOH says

Restaurant workers will not be eligible to get the vaccine under the upcoming congregate worker phase, which includes grocery stores, the Department of Health said.

Under phase 1B-2 of the plan, “critical workers with significant risk of exposure and transmission in congregate settings” are eligible. This include agriculture, food processing, grocery stores and food banks, according to documents from the health department.

This phase is expected to tentatively start March 22.

KIRO 7 asked if this language means that restaurant workers are also eligible to receive the vaccine.

The DOH sent back a statement saying that restaurant workers will not be eligible until later, because restaurants are generally smaller and have “alternative options to avoid congregation,” such as takeout and delivery.

Cox Media Group