February 17, 2022, at 2:06 pm PST By KIRO 7 News Staff
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that starting March 21, masks will not be required in most places in Washington state.
Washington residents will no longer have to mask up in schools, childcare facilities, restaurants, bars, houses of worship, gyms, grocery stores, and other retail establishments.
Masks are still required in healthcare settings such as hospitals and dental offices, long-term care settings, and correctional facilities. Federal law still requires masks on public transportation.
Businesses and local governments can still choose to require face masks for workers or customers.
School districts can also still choose to require students and teachers to wear masks. (The Omak School District staff and/or students may choose to continue to wear masks if they would like to, but masks will no longer be required beginning on March 21, 2022. Please note that masks are still required on school buses until the federal requirement is removed).
Washington’s current indoor mask mandate restarted on Aug. 23, as the delta variant caused COVID-19 cases to spike.
Inslee also announced that the Department of Health is issuing updated guidance for K-12 schools the week of March 7 that will go into effect March 21.
Schools will still be required to report COVID-19 cases and outbreaks and cooperate with local health authorities.
The DOH will also shift existing requirements for distancing, ventilation, and sanitation, so they become recommendations.
While COVID-19 cases are down, the governor reminded Washingtonians that the virus is still a workplace hazard, and employers must continue to take steps to minimize risk to employees.
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