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Washington state’s mask mandate went into effect Monday

Published 6:06 am Monday, August 23, 2021

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee puts on a mask after speaking at a news conference, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. The governor also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee puts on a mask after speaking at a news conference, Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. Inslee announced that Washington state is expanding its vaccine mandate to include all public, charter and private school teachers and staff, as well as those working at the state's colleges and universities. The governor also expanded the statewide indoor mask mandate in place for non-vaccinated individuals to include those who are vaccinated. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee puts on a mask after announcing an expansion of vaccine and mask mandates at a news conference Aug. 18 at the Capitol in Olympia. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, file)

Associated Press

OLYMPIA — A universal mask mandate for indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status went into effect in Washington state on Monday.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced the expanded mask mandate last week. He also expanded the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate to all K-12 employees, in addition to employees at state colleges, and most childcare and early learning providers, KING5 reported.

The mandates follow weeks of escalating COVID-19 case rates and increasing hospitalizations caused primarily by the delta variant of the coronavirus. Inslee’s office said Washington state recently broke its record for COVID-19 hospitalizations, which was previously set in December.

The new rules also come after Snohomish, Thurston and Pierce counties issued masking directives, and King County released a universal masking recommendation for residents.

The governor’s office is working with state partners to reestablish an enforcement system, according to a spokesperson.

“The governor’s office and other state partners are working together on reestablishing an enforcement system. There will be more details in the coming days,” the spokesperson said.

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