OLYMPIA — Gov. Inslee announced Tuesday afternoon a statewide public health order requiring people to wear facial coverings when they are outside their homes.
Inslee announced the new requirement applies to virtually all indoor settings and outdoors where it’s impossible to maintain 6 feet of physical distance from others.
The order takes effect Friday.
A separate proclamation requires even more stringent requirements on Yakima County, one of the areas hardest hit by the coronavirus. In addition to being covered by the statewide mandate on masks in public, there will now be a legal requirement that prohibits people from entering a place of business, either indoors or outdoors, without first donning a mask.
During his 3:00 news conference, Inslee said the number of infections appears to be rising as the state has allowed more counties to reopen.
He said that most anything will count as a face covering as long as it covers the nose and mouth, and he was leaving it up individuals to decide what works for them.
Exceptions include those who have health issues impacted by face coverings, those who are talking to someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, children under the age of 5, and when it’s impractical, such as when eating in public.