Statewide Mask Orders Ending
Governor Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health Umair Shah have announced that the statewide orders requiring face coverings in public will be ending. The mandate for events with more than 500 people will expire February 18 and the broader orders will end on March 21, in most indoor settings, including K-12 schools and child care facilities. Masks will still be required in health care settings such as hospitals, outpatient and dental offices, long term care settings, and correctional facilities.Businesses and local governments can still choose to implement vaccination or face mask requirements for workers or customers, and school districts and child cares can still choose to have students and teachers wear masks. Federal law still requires face masks in certain settings such as public transportation and school buses.To read the full media release from Snohomish Health District, click here.A few key points:- Continue to wear masks through March 20, 2022.
- Continue to follow current Washington State Department of Health child care COVID-19 guidance including exclusion and testing for ill children and staff.
- Continue to report all cases of COVID-19 to Snohomish Health District.
- Get vaccinated and boosted. You can find information and locations here.
- Masks will continue to be one of many preventative measures used to prevent the spread of respiratory illness. Individuals may choose to wear masks for a variety of different reasons. Be respectful of an individual's right to continue to wear a mask.
- As a child care business you may continue to require masks after March 20, 2022 if you choose. Communicate your policies clearly with families, staff, and visitors.
- The pandemic is not yet over and we have learned that we must adapt to this changing virus. The possibility exists that masks may again be required in the future.
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If you have any questions, please contact the Child Care Health Outreach program. You can reach us at 425-252-5415 or by email at childcarehealth@snohd.org. Report cases of COVID-19 to our main call center at 425-339-5278.
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