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Wearing masks indoors will no longer be mandated by Gov. Jay Inslee come March 21, he announced last week. That decision is based on the data, showing dropping hospitalization rates, improving vaccination rates, and broad access to masks and tests, he said at a Feb. 17 news conference.

Face masks will no longer be required in most settings, including K-12 schools and childcare facilities. Masks will still be required in health care settings such as hospitals, outpatient and dental offices, long term care settings and correctional facilities. In addition, beginning March 1, vaccine verification for large events will no longer be required.

Businesses and local governments can still choose to implement vaccination or face mask requirements for workers or customers, and school districts can choose to have students and teachers wear masks. Federal law still requires face masks in certain settings such as public transportation and school buses.

“Requirements” regarding distance, ventilation, and sanitation in schools will be downgraded to “recommendations”, with new guidance expected from the state by March 7.

In its news release Skagit Public Health noted “there may be certain settings where wearing a mask makes sense, like when caring for someone who is high-risk, if you are sick, if you’re in a location where social distancing isn’t possible or if you are not fully vaccinated.”

The statewide outdoor mask mandate ended last week.

“While caution is still needed, we are entering a new phase of the pandemic,” Inslee said. “Vaccination remains our most essential protection against severe illness and death from COVID-19. It’s also crucial to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed again. If you’ve been procrastinating, now is the time to get the shot.”