Washington State Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, M.D., MPH, amended Order 20-03 requiring face masks for e
veryone over five years of age in most public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. These include places like grocery stores, malls, gyms, and community centers. Masks are strongly recommended in crowded outdoor settings like sporting events, fairs, and concerts where physical distancing is not possible. The updated order goes into effect on Monday, Aug. 23.
Reinstating mask requirements is necessary in addition to increasing vaccinations, to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Washington.
“While vaccines are the pathway out of this pandemic, wearing a mask is necessary to stem the current increase in COVID-19 cases, driven by the Delta variant,” said Shah.
There are some exceptions to the indoor mask requirement, including:
Children under age five years of age. However, children age two to four years old can wear a mask under close adult supervision.
People with a medical or mental health condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask
Fully vaccinated workers who are working alone or in an area not accessible to the public
Athletes who play indoor sports and who are actively engaged in competition or practice (masks are still required on sidelines and in team meetings)
Small indoor private gatherings when everyone is vaccinated
Children under two years of age should not wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation
It is important to use and handle masks properly. A mask should fit snugly around both your mouth and nose, and it should not have holes or tears in the fabric. Cloth face coverings should be washed frequently, ideally after each use, and certainly daily. If you are not able to wash it after each use, wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer immediately after putting it back on and avoid touching your face.
Source: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Newsroom/Articles/ID/2901/Statewide-updated-mask-order-goes-into-effect-Monday-Aug-23