Northwest Grocery Association and Washington Food Industry Association have contacted every jurisdiction in the state and are hopeful that most ordinances will be waived.
WFIA has made its full list of suspended ordinances in the state available.
Northwest Grocers Association reports the following updates regarding Seattle's suspension:
The City has temporarily suspended enforcement, including the requirement that retailers collect a 5-cent, pass-through charge on paper bags, to help keep essential workers safe during the crisis. Here is Seattle Public Utilities’ updated guidance:
- For the duration of the COVID-19 civil emergency declaration by Mayor Durkin issued March 3, 2020, the City will suspend enforcement of the requirement retail establishments collect a 5-cent, pass-through charge on recyclable paper bags provided to customers.
- If available, compliant bags should be used.
- If non-compliant bags are substituted on a temporary basis because of a lack of supply, we encourage posting simple signage informing the customer that the change is temporary.
- Care should be taken to not overstock non-complaint bags that are only needed on a temporary basis.
- Retailers may use their own discretion regarding the use of reusable bags by customers.
- Retailers should return to using compliant bags and packaging as soon as possible.
- Grocers should not use green-tinted, non-compostable plastic bags, as required by the ordinance. It is very important that we not pollute our compost system due to customer confusion about compostable and non-compostable bags.
- As stated above, during the COVID–19 crisis, our policies remain in place. However, there will be no enforcement action taken on businesses that are unable to remain in compliance.