Washington's Indoor Mask Rules End Saturday: What To Know

WASHINGTON — Statewide rules requiring masks inside schools, gyms, grocery stores and other public spaces expired at the stroke of midnight, removing one of Washington's last remaining pandemic restrictions. Initially scheduled to end on March 21, Gov. Jay Inslee announced in late February that the mask rules would instead expire at 11:59 p.m. on March 11, joining the governors of California and Oregon in streamlining the end date.

The governor said sharp declines in COVID-19 case and hospitalization rates since the omicron peak made it possible to move ahead with an earlier timeline, supported by guidance from the state Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While down considerably from previous peaks, DOH data showed case counts were somewhat elevated in most Washington counties through the end of February.

Under the CDC's new classification tiers for community transmission, Washington is in the low category.

Even as the rules expire, masks will still be required in certain settings, and businesses, venues, school districts, and local jurisdictions will retain the authority to keep their own mask requirements in place.

"While this represents another step forward for Washingtontonians, we must still be mindful that many within our communities remain vulnerable," Inslee said in February. "Many businesses and families will continue choosing to wear masks, because we've learned how effective they are at keeping one another safe. As we transition to this next phase, we will continue to move forward together carefully and cautiously."

As Crosscut reported Friday, some of Seattle's most popular venues, including the Paramount and the Seattle Symphony, intend to keep their masking and vaccine verification policies through the spring. Others, like Climate Pledge Arena, will end both requirements. Though King County's broad mask rules end concurrently with the state, the King County Superior Court signed a separate emergency order this week requiring masks at all times inside its facilities.

Masks will also be required on public transit, including planes, buses and light rail, under a separate federal order. The Transportation Security Administration announced Thursday that the rules, previously scheduled to end March 18, would be extended through mid-April, allowing the CDC more time to craft an updated policy.

While local school districts can choose to implement or extend their own masking policies, most — including the state's two largest — have already announced plans to make masks optional for students and staffers by Monday.

Related: As Mask Mandates End, King County Begins A New Pandemic Chapter