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COVID-19 Business Resources

The staff at Commute Seattle is here to serve the local business community as we navigate the response to the novel coronavirus together. Our free services for businesses can help you plan safe and efficient commutes for your employees and tenants. We may be remote, but we’re here to help. Email us with any questions and one of our specialists will respond within two business days.

Telework and Flexwork Resources
Telework and Flexwork Guidance for Employees
Need to speak with an attorney on information regarding legal telework policies for employers and employees? Contact an attorney Monday – Friday 8 AM to 5 PM at 206-889-6358.

Commuting Resources for Essential Workers
Commuting Resources for Essential Workers
Learn about resources that you can provide to your staff as they travel through the pandemic. We recognize that your options to commute to your worksite may look completely different and will continue to update this resource with ongoing promotions and information.

Seattle & King County Resources:
Find a test site near you

  • Medical questions related to COVID-19?
    Contact the call center between 8 AM to 7 PM PST at 206-477-3977
  • Non-medical questions about COVID-19 including compliance and business-related issues?
    Contact the King County COVID-19 Business and Community Information Line (Monday – Friday) 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM at 206-296-1608
  • General questions about COVID-19 in Washington State
    Contact the Washington State Novel Coronavirus Call center at 800-525-0127 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Language assistance is available.

Washington State Resources:
Statewide Guidance
Workplace Recommendations
You may also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211211 to receive the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.

Seattle Business Re-Opening Support:
Support for Small Businesses and Non-Profit
Insurance Information for Business
Statewide Reopening Guidance
State Workplace Guidance
Supporting Commuters Returning To Your Office
Employer Guide to Supporting Working Parents

Safety In the Workplace

There are many ways to keep the employees that cannot telework safe. See below for tips and ways to stay safe and healthy within the workplace.

Create social distance in the workplace

• Place staff members at least 6 feet away from each other. If not possible, use masks, gloves and other PPE gear.
• Do not have in-person meetings.
• If you must have an in-person meeting, meet in a large room and be at least 6 feet from one another. Meet for as short as you can.
• Close lunchrooms and limit access to areas where people gather.
• Limit visitors.
• Implement staggered work schedules of flexible starting times. Learn More About Flexwork.

Tell Sick Employees To Stay Home

• Make sure your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.
• Talk with companies who provide contract or temporary employees about the importance of sick employees staying home. Encourage them to develop leave policies that do not punish employees.
• Do not require a doctor’s note from employees who have been sick.
• Maintain policies that allow employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. Employers should be aware that more workers may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is normal.

Practice Good Health Habits

• Place posters around your building that support staying home when sickhow to cough and sneeze and keeping hands clean. Put them up in places where people will see them.
• Make sure you have tissues and trash cans throughout the building.
• Have everyone wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not around, clean hands with a hand gel that has at least 60% alcohol in it. Make sure these supplies are always around and in multiple locations.
• Provide gloves when staff clean and check rooms and any areas people have access to.
• Tell everyone not to touch their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.• Talk with companies who provide contract or temporary employees about the importance of sick employees staying home. Encourage them to develop leave policies that do not punish employees.
• Do not require a doctor’s note from employees who have been sick.
• Maintain policies that allow employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. Employers should be aware that more workers may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is normal.

Clean All High Touch Areas

• Clean all high touch areas like stair handrails, elevator buttons, fitness room equipment, and door handles. Use cleaning products that are usually used in these areas. Follow the directions on the label.
• No extra cleaning beyond routine cleaning is needed at this time.
• Provide cleaning wipes so that high touch objects (for example, doorknobs, remote controls, keycards) can be wiped down before each use.
• Only use cleaning products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Read the label and follow the directions on how to use it. Here is the EPA list of registered cleaning products labeled for use against the new coronavirus. Note: There may be more cleaning products that meet EPA standards that are not on this list. The EPA updates the list often.
• For more information, visit CDC for Business guidelines.

Transportation Updates
Transit is changing and if you have not been on public transit since the pandemic hit, you may want to familiarize yourself with the changes made to keep our community safe. At a glance, you can see masks are required on all transit, where safety partitions are installed to separate the driver from riders and if fares are reinstated. A big thanks to our transit operators, who are keeping Seattle moving for more riders each day. View the updates from all regioinal transit providers below or download the infographic.

King County Metro

Fares were reintroduced on October 1. Face masks are required and partitions are being used to protect operators. Metro has reduced service and many bus routes are canceled. Vashon and West Seattle water taxi service as resumed operating Monday through Friday commuter service. We encourage businesses who have questions or concerns about their existing ORCA Business Program during COVID-19 to contact King County Metro.

View King County Metro Updates.

Sound Transit Light Rail & Sounder Train

Fares have resumed on Link Light Rail, Sounder and Express bus. Sound Transit has reduced service on Link Light Rail, Sounder North and South, and some Express bus service. View Sound Transit Updates Updates.

Seattle Center Monorail

The monorail has resumed service with limited capacity. View Monorail Updates.

Community Transit

All fares have resumed. Hours of operation and frequency is reduced at this time. View Community Transit Updates.

Washington State Ferries

Normal fares still apply and sailings continue on winter schedule until further notice. All galleys will be closed until further notice. Washington State Ferry Updates.

Pierce Transit

Fares have resumed but service is limited. View Pierce Transit Updates.

Everett Transit

Fares have resumed but routes and schedules are limited. View Everett Transit Updates.

Seattle Department of Transportation

The First Hill and South Lake Union line has resumed limited service. Face masks are required. The West Seattle bridge is closed until further notice. View Alternate West Seattle Routes.