Washington Mask Mandate Lifted by Gov. Jay Inslee Effective March 21 With Some Exceptions | Find Out Which Places Still Require Wearing Masks

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Thursday that the mask mandate will be lifted starting March 21 in the state of Washington. However, it will still be required in some areas.

It was not immediately known whether King County will follow the state and lift their indoor and outdoor mask mandate, which was imposed in September, according to a Seattle Times report.

The new changes in mask mandate came as COVID cases and hospitalizations triggered by the Omicron variant are declining.

School-district superintendents have called on leaders to loosen mask mandates for schools, which is a measure other states have already taken.

Mask mandates have been coming down and up last year with the ongoing pandemic.

Washington Mask Mandate

Inslee's office announced that masks are still required on school buses, which is a federal requirement.

In addition, mask mandates are still applied on public transit and health care and congregate living spaces, which include hospitals, pharmacies, outpatient, and dental facilities.

Long-term care settings, correctional facilities, taxis, and rideshare vehicles are also included in the list.

On March 21, some places will no longer be implementing a mask mandate such as indoor spaces, including schools, child care facilities, libraries, restaurants, and bars.

Places of worship, gyms, recreation centers, indoor athletic facilities, and grocery stores will not be requiring the wearing of masks, as well.

The statewide outdoor mask mandate for gatherings of over 500 people also ends on February 18.

Gov. Jay Inslee noted that it has been two years when it comes to the closures of businesses and jobs, adding that it has "been a long, long road."

The Washington governor said that he wants to get the state a level of "five hospitalizations per 100,000" due to COVID.

The State Department of Health projected that the state of Washington is seen to hit that level around March 21, according to another Seattle Times report.

The state DOH officials will also release updated guidance for K-12 schools during the week of March 6.

Schools will still be required to report COVID cases and outbreaks while cooperating with public health authorities.

Students and staff that were infected with COVID and show symptoms will be required to quarantine and schools must ensure access to testing for staff and students who may have been exposed or may have symptoms.

Employees must also allow workers to continue wearing masks if they choose, adding that they cannot take "adverse action" against a worker who wears a mask or takes time to get vaccinated or seek treatment.

More than 80 percent of the Washington population age five and older have received at least one dose of vaccine, with around 73 percent being fully vaccinated, according to Fox 13 News report.

The DOH also noted that more than 2.5 million people have either received a booster or a third dose as of this week.

Meanwhile, starting on March 1, large events will no longer have to verify the vaccination status of patrons.

The New York Times reported that Inslee said that "we should be very pleased" with the development that the state has made.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Gov. Jay Inslee announces end to Washington's indoor mask mandate - from KING 5