OLYMPIA, Wash. — Some of the final mask requirements in Washington state have come to an end. The Washington State Department of Health ended a mask order for healthcare, long-term care, and correctional facilities on Monday, April 3, 2023.
This comes more than a year after Washington state dropped its mask mandate for most public settings.
The previous mask order required universal masking in healthcare, long-term care, and adult correctional facilities for people aged 5 and older. This included hospitals, doctors, and dental offices. The rule ended on April 3.
Washington DOH said the end of the masking requirement comes as COVID-19, RSV, and influenza disease rates and hospitalizations have declined since the end of last year.
Although masks will not be required, DOH still recommends masks for patients, healthcare providers, and visitors in healthcare settings.
“Masks have been – and will continue to be – an important tool, along with vaccinations, to keep people healthy and safe,” Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health said.
Local or tribal governments, facilities, and providers may also choose to continue to require masks in these or other settings. Additionally, employees and contractors may choose to use facemasks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job without employer retaliation.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will end the COVID-19 federal public health emergency on May 11.
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