Inslee to keep state COVID mask requirements as federal officials loosen guidance

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is committed to his March 21 date for lifting COVID-19 mask restrictions, according to his office, as federal officials Friday loosened their own masking guidelines.

In a news conference earlier this month, the governor announced statewide mask requirements would lift on March 21 for schools, child care facilities, grocery stores, gyms, bars and other indoor establishments.

In an email Friday morning, Inslee spokesperson Mike Faulk wrote that, “COVID trends are declining but still remain very high relative to other waves over the pandemic.”

“Our state’s 7-day average for cases, hospitalizations and deaths are roughly equal to what they were at the peak of the Delta surge,” Faulk continued. “We remain committed to March 21 lifting of most mask requirements.”