Inslee Changes ‘Mind,’ Now Some Indoor Mask Restrictions Ending March 12

Last Friday Gov. Inslee issued this statement in reaction to CDC suggesting easing mask mandates:

""Our office and our state Department of Health are reviewing the updated guidance from the CDC and evaluating their data, metrics and approach., "March 21 remains the current date for ending the state’s indoor mask requirements, and we’ll have more to say next week."

  School, Gym, Store Indoor Mask Mandates to end March 12 in WA

Less than 72 hours after insisting the state would remain masked until March 21st, Gov. Inslee announced the lifting of a lot of indoor restrictions 9 days earlier.

In an email sent out Monday morning, he said in part:

“We’ve continued to monitor data from our state Department of Health, and have determined we are able to adjust the timing of our statewide mask requirement. While this represents another step forward for Washingtonians, we must still be mindful that many within our communities remain vulnerable. Many businesses and families will continue choosing to wear masks, because we’ve learned how effective they are at keeping one another safe. As we transition to this next phase, we will continue to move forward together carefully and cautiously.” 

The following venues will now go mask optional at 11:59 PM on March 11th. They include:

• Schools, child care facilities, gyms, and indoor fitness and sports venues, libraries, restaurants, bars, churches stores, retail establishments, 

Places where indoor masks will still be required will be :

• jails, correctional facilities, health care facilities including hospitals and pharmacies, dental offices, public transit including school buses (that's a federal mandate).

He also said any public or private business, entity, local government, etc.who wishes to continue indoor requirements may do so of their own choice.