WA health facilities to end mask mandates. Where are COVID cases, vaccination rates at?

The Washington State Department of Health announced Friday that it is ending mask mandates inside hospitals and health care facilities in about a month.

Starting April 3, the DOH says that Washingtonians will no longer have to wear a mask inside health care, correctional and long-term care facilities. Even thought the state is rolling back requirements, health care and other entities can still continue to require masking.

“We are thankful for our health and long-term care providers, staff members, patients, and all Washingtonians, for following the important public health measures put in place during the pandemic to protect one another,” stated Umair A. Shah, Washington’s Secretary of Health, in a news release.

COVID-19 case rates across Washington state have been declining since December 2022, while vaccination rates have exceeded 85% for one dose and 76% for two shots, according to the most recent data from the CDC. Every county except a few are at low COVID-19 community levels as of Thursday. The only counties at the medium community level are Clallam, Jefferson and Ferry counties.

The news comes alongside similar news from Oregon, which announced Friday as well that it will be lifting its mask mandate for health care settings on Monday.

Since 2020, the state has signed dozens of public health orders that required residents to wear masks in certain indoor spaces. Over time, these regulations were updated to reflect the status of the COVID-19 virus and public health, as well as data and health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Orders at times only applied to public settings where social distancing was impossible or in settings where high-risk populations like children and older people are commonly present.

There will be some exceptions. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries says it will continue to have worker protection requirements in place. Some L&I rules include:

• Employees and contractors have the right to wear face masks or other personal protective equipment on the job without fear of employer discrimination.

• Employers cannot penalize staff who raise health care concerns, participate in union activity concerning health and filing safety or health complaints.

The Biden administration announced in January that it intends to end the COVID-19 national and public health emergency in May. The nationwide policy has been in place since early 2020. The decision won’t affect businesses’ right to impose their own masking requirements.

Who is exempt from wearing a mask?

Currently, the only people exempt from mask-wearing guidelines inside health care facilities are:

• Children younger than five years old.

• Those with a medical condition, mental health condition, developmental or cognitive condition, or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask.

• Those who are not paid to provide health care, long-term care or personal care services if a health care setting is in a private residence.

Which states still require masks?

Most other states have relaxed mask mandates in certain public spaces, including during air travel, according to the American Association of Retired Persons. States still requiring certain people to wear masks in health care facilities include:

• California

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Kentucky

• Massachusetts

• New Jersey

• New York

• Rhode Island