Face Covering Mandate Enforcement To 'Focus On Education': WSP

SEATTLE, WA — Starting Friday, a statewide mandate will require that all Washingtonians wear facial coverings while out in public spaces. While the governor's mandate means that those who do not wear masks or facial coverings could end up facing a misdemeanor, law enforcement agencies want to stress that would only happen in severe cases.

Unless people are willfully endangering others and refusing to wear masks, local police agencies say their enforcement of the mandate will instead focus on education and public safety.

The Washington State Patrol issued a statement on the mandate Thursday reading in part:

"The statewide face covering order is a public health and safety measure. It is not a mandate for law enforcement to detain, cite or arrest violators but rather an evidence-based and safety-focused directive meant to slow the spread of a potentially deadly disease.

WSP will continue to communicate with and encourage all Washingtonians to make safety-focused decisions and follow all health-based directives from the Governor as well as state and local health officials. "

The statement goes on to say that troopers trust the majority of Washingtonians will do what is right and wear masks in the interest of public safety:

"We trust our residents, businesses, elected leaders, health officials, and each other to do what is necessary during this unique time of shared medical vulnerability and gradual return to social and economic normalcy."

WSP's statement echoes a similar letter to the public from Gig Harbor police and the words of the governor himself. Shortly after announcing the mandate Tuesday Gov. Inslee says the goal is not to focus on punishment, but to push community members to wear masks and protect each other from the virus.

"It is a misdemeanor not to comply with this order, but it is not our desire to have hard-working officers following people around on mask issues," said Inslee. "They have other things to deal with frankly, and we hope that people's common sense and recognition of the law and desire to help their fellow neighbors are going to carry the day here."

Read more: Washington's Facial Covering Mandate Begins Friday