By Pepper Fisher
OLYMPIA – In a news conference Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee said he plans to announce next week when the state indoor mask mandate will be lifted, and he says he expects that to be very soon.
Inslee said falling virus case rates in our state and worldwide lead health officials to believe it will soon be safe to return to a mask-free indoor policy, including in our schools. He also announced plans to lift outdoor mask mandates next week, on Friday the 18th. That would include sporting events, concerts, and other large gatherings.
“It is no longer a matter of if, it is a question of when. And I expect to share that date next week with Washingtonians, after we have another week or so of data to give us even a higher level of confidence of where we’re going to be.”
The news comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control said that while Covid case numbers are falling, it’s still too soon for the agency to recommend lifting any mitigation measures.
“I agree with the CDC that today is not the day to totally eliminate masks, but it is a day that is rapidly approaching. We’re going to make a safe transition when it’s time. That time is coming soon, in the next few weeks. And as I said, I will have a date hopefully next week.”
Also Wednesday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal issued a statement saying he believes it is safe to eliminate the statewide masking requirement for students and allow for a decision by local health officials in terms of their own timing for doing so, and he recommended the Governor and Department of Health change the guidance to reflect this in the coming weeks. Gov. Inslee was asked about that.
“I talked to the superintendent yesterday about this. He’s not suggesting that happen today. He is suggesting that happen in the near future, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. So, I don’t think there’s any space between us in this regard. As far as decision-making, I think, you know, if local Health Department’s…we would not change or remove their ability to make their own mask mandates if they wanted to, although I haven’t seen an indication that they would implement that, at least at the moment. But no, I think we’re on the same page with Chris in this regard.”