Following other west coast state leaders, the office of Washington State Governor Inslee today announced a shortened wait until the COVID-19 mask mandate will be lifted.
With declining case rates and hospitalizations across the west, California, Oregon and Washington are moving together to update their masking guidance. After 11:59 p.m. on March 11, California, Oregon and Washington will be adopting new indoor mask policies and move from mask requirements to mask recommendations in schools.
State policies do not change federal requirements, which still include masks on public transit.Office of Governor Inslee press release (February 28, 2022)
This is an update to an earlier announcement from the Governor on February 17th that set the date for lifting the mandate to be on March 21st.
The press release said masks will still be required in health care, corrections and long-term care facility settings and the Washington State Department of Health will be issuing new guidance for K-12 schools next week so schools can prepare to implement updated safety protocols.