Masks to become optional indoors on March 21

The Washington state indoor mask mandate will end Monday, March 21, governor Jay Inslee announced during a joint press conference with state officials. This will include public schools, grocery stores and restaurants.

Businesses will be able to decide whether they want to require employees and customers to wear masks, Inslee said during the February 17 press conference, announcing the end to the statewide mask mandate. Local governments may still require mask usage if needed. 

Masks will remain required in healthcare facilities, corrections facilities and nursing homes, according to the governor’s office.

Proof of vaccination will also no longer be required for large events starting Tuesday, March 1.

Inslee said the state’s emergency order won’t be lifted March 21 because it is needed for the state to continue receiving pandemic-related federal funds, protect the right of people who choose to wear masks when not required and continue testing in public schools.

The governor’s office attributed the loosening of mask restrictions to declining Covid-19 hospitalizations, improving vaccination rates and easy access to masks and tests. Although trending downward, state department of health data shows Covid-19 cases are still among some of the highest they’ve been during the pandemic.

Inslee first required a statewide mask mandate in June 2020, which was lifted for vaccinated individuals briefly last summer during low case rates. The state required vaccinated individuals to resume wearing masks indoors in late August 2021.