Inslee expected to announce today when Washington’s COVID mask mandates will lift

The days of ubiquitous COVID-19 masks in Washington may be drawing to a close.

Gov. Jay Inslee, scheduled to hold a news conference at 2 p.m. on Thursday, is expected to release details for when the state will end emergency mask requirements covering businesses and schools.

Thursday’s news conference arrives as Washington’s daily confirmed cases and hospitalizations due to the omicron variant have gradually declined. Hospital officials recently warned, however, that the current wave is likely to persist for a few weeks more.