Is the Mask Mandate a Law in Washington State

Although masks are no longer mandatory in many locations, we recommend wearing masks in the following circumstances: The requirements for using masks in your workplace may differ from those of the general public. Ask your employer about mask guidelines. Companies may require the wearing of masks for employees and customers, please follow and respect business policies. Wearing a mask is one of the most effective things people can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Recent models suggest that the incidence of COVID-19 cases can be reduced if the majority of the population wears masks. This correlation has been observed in other countries that have been able to lower the curve through the use of masks. This order from the Secretary of Health determines when and where Washingtonians must wear face masks. Individuals are individually responsible for complying with this order. Schools, districts, daycares and local health authorities may impose additional protection requirements at any time or in response to an outbreak or local wave of disease.

These measures may include universal indoor mask wearing, testing and/or other measures deemed appropriate to limit the spread of the virus. People may want to continue wearing a mask to provide additional protection against COVID-19, especially those who are immunocompromised, live with an immunocompromised person, or simply feel safer wearing a mask. Everyone should assess their personal risk when making this decision. Repealing the statewide mask requirement does not prevent a business or school from requiring employees to wear masks, whether as part of a shelter or otherwise. Residents of Yakima County must wear face coverings in public, and businesses must require customers and customers to wear masks to operate and are not allowed to serve anyone who enters their store without a face covering, with a few exceptions. In general, masks are still mandatory for people over the age of five, regardless of vaccination status, in certain indoor public spaces, including the following: Local health departments, some school districts, and individual businesses may still choose to require masks. If you are in an environment where COVID-19 safety measures are in place, please follow them. The purpose of these security measures is to protect employees, staff, students, themselves and others.

The Ministry of Health`s guides provide additional information on where masks are still required or recommended. The public is legally required to comply with the obligation to wear a mask. Failure to comply with this order is subject to criminal prosecution under sections RCW 43.70.130(7), RCW 70.05.120(4) and WAC 246-100-070(3). We recommend that you comply with the mask requirement, as wearing a mask is an effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. No, a face shield is not an acceptable substitute for a cloth mask or face covering, as face shields do not completely cover the wearer`s nose and mouth, allowing air to escape freely or enter through the sides of the screen. People can wear face shields in addition to a mask or face covering to provide the wearer with additional “splash protection” against coughing and sneezing, but a face shield should never replace wearing a mask or face covering. Proper use of face coverings affects the effectiveness of the face covering. If misused or incorrectly, a mask is less effective. Remember to wear a tight-fitting face covering. Washington State has released several updates to COVID-19 orders and guidelines to clarify mask rules after Governor Jay Inslee announced that the statewide mask requirement was lifted effective March 12, 2022. The order comes after Saturday`s announcement of a mandatory mask proclamation for Yakima County, which begins this week.

The order was a response to reports of rising cases and a possible overload of the county`s health system. On Monday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said he was moving the date forward because of updated guidelines last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These new CDC recommendations, released Friday, Feb. 25, indicate that most Americans live in counties where they can walk indoors without masks. You can buy or make face coverings, but keep in mind that different types of masks have different levels of protection. “Key workers are at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 to serve our communities. Many are already required to wear masks at work for 8 to 12 hours or more, and we do this to keep everyone safe. We are very pleased that the public is joining us and we appreciate the governor`s proclamation, as face coverings are most effective when we wear them all to protect each other. The safety of workers and our entire community, as well as the stability of our health care system, depend on clients and patients working together to prevent transmission and continue to bend the curve.

To all our clients and patients: We take care of you and your family. When you come to a store, pharmacy or clinic with a face covering, we find that you care about us and our families. We know we can protect each other,” said UFCW 21 President Faye Guenther. Masks are still mandatory in some contexts. The Secretary of Health`s mask order mandates the wearing of a mask in these settings, regardless of vaccination status: Starting Friday, every Washington resident must wear a face covering in a public space, as required by Wiesman`s signed public health order. This includes indoor and outdoor public spaces. Jackson Lewis attorneys closely monitor updates and changes in legal requirements and guidelines, and are available to employers to manage the complexities of state-specific or multi-state plans. Washington residents will no longer be able to wear masks indoors on March 12, nine days earlier than planned. For more information on choosing the right mask and how to wear it, contact the CDC. We encourage everyone, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in any crowded environment, regardless of size. Masks provide an extra layer of protection against COVID-19 and the highly infectious variant of Omicron Governor Jay Inslee and Health Secretary John Wiesman today announced a mandatory national order on face coverings that will take effect on Friday, June 26.