Statewide indoor mask mandates to be lifted for most places on March 21, Inslee announces
After nearly two years of statewide indoor mask mandates in Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that those mandates will be lifted on March 21.
While K-12 schools and childcare facilities will no longer have mask requirements, masks will still be required at places such as hospitals, dental offices, long-term care facilities and correctional facilities.
Additionally, vaccination proof will no longer be required for large events after March 1.
However, businesses can still choose to keep mask and vaccination requirements as a condition of entry if they wish to do so.
The governor’s emergency order will not be lifted on March 21. Inslee said it needs to be maintained partially because it allows the state access to federal funds and also protects healthcare employees. He said he will follow the data and science to determine when the order can be lifted, but as of now, there is no date in mind.
Federal regulations will still require individuals to wear masks while on airplanes.
Inslee said that because COVID-19 has changed “significantly” over the last two years, Washington’s efforts have been “aggressive in addressing those changes.”
“Now we have changes that will allow us in the next several weeks to take the next step forward into regaining what we consider a much more normal life,” Inslee said. “Obviously we know we still have to be cautious because the rate actually remains high today, but this is good news for us to have relief in sight that I’m pleased to be able to announce today.”
The Washington Department of Health website shows that while COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are trending downward, the rates of infection remain higher than other points of the pandemic. Inslee said this continues to put pressure on hospitals and that the virus continues to claim lives.
The governor reiterated that relying on data and science to guide decisions in the state’s response has served Washingtonians well in saving “tens of thousands of lives.”
The governor was joined at his Thursday press conference by state Health Secretary Umair Shah, Deputy Secretary for COVID response Lacy Fehrenbach, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal.
During the press conference, Shah said that he was “hopeful for where the pandemic is going.” But, he said, the healthcare system is still stressed. He reminded Washingtonians to keep themselves safe with vaccinations, as well as masking where necessary, so the healthcare system won’t be as overwhelmed. He also urged people to be respectful of those who choose to continue wearing masks.
School districts can expect guidance from the Department of Health the week of March 7 in order for schools to prepare for the transition on March 21. The Department of Health will shift requirements to recommendations regarding social distancing, ventilation and sanitation. Current requirements will remain in place until March 21.
Reykdal said that because Washington has taken so many precautions throughout the pandemic that gives the state “more flexibility to take that next step.”
“These are tough moments and it has had impact,” said Reykdal. “...But with subsequent vaccines, rapid testing and what we know now about the ultimate science of this virus we’re at a pretty powerful moment here where we take another step towards normalcy.”
Schools will still be required to report COVID-19 outbreaks and cases. Students and staff will also still be required to quarantine with positive COVID-19 results.
Last week, Reykdal released a statement asking the governor and Department of Health to eliminate the school masking requirements because he believes it is safe as the state transitions from a pandemic to an endemic.
Inslee’s announcement comes after several other states recently announced their decision to lift the mandates. Some states like California, Rhode Island, and Maryland still require students in schools to wear masks, while Nevada, which also recently lifted restrictions, does not.
After the mandate is lifted, employers are still urged to mitigate the transmission of the virus and are still required to notify employees of outbreaks. Businesses with more than 50 employees would still be required to report outbreaks of 10 or more to the Department of Labor and Industries. Employers must also respect an employee’s decision to wear a mask at work, as the law prohibits an employer from taking adverse action against employees who do so.
The Washington State Department of Health notes on its website that 80.5% of Washingtonians ages five and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 11,522 Washingtonians have died from the virus. Over 1.4 million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the state.
The Centers for Disease Control still recommends wearing masks indoors.
Statewide mask mandates have been in place since June 2020.
This story was originally published February 17, 2022 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Statewide indoor mask mandates to be lifted for most places on March 21, Inslee announces."
