The Port of Port Townsend is now requiring people who want to enter a port-owned property at Point Hudson to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 before they can come inside.

Port Executive Director Eron Berg signed an emergency order Friday, Oct. 1, requiring all people who enter the building at 375 Hudson St. to provide proof of vaccination.

The order is in direct response to Gov. Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14, which requires as a condition of continued tenancy the port to establish a COVID-19 vaccination verification plan as it relates to port operations. The building is leased primarily for use by Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, and all port staff, contractors, and subcontractors who enter the building must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Office of Field Operations also shares the building.

Port employees may apply for medical or religious exemptions, and port payroll/accounting staff will maintain a log of staff that includes their vaccination status and copies of proof of vaccination, the document states.

The port’s maintenance manager is designated to make sure that port staff, contractors and subcontractors comply with the new requirements.