What to know about Washington state’s new mask mandate, vaccine requirement for school and child care workers

The mask is back. 

Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Wednesday a new statewide indoor mask mandate for all residents ages 5 and up, regardless of vaccination status, along with new vaccine requirements for K-12 and higher education educators and staff, and child care providers.

“This virus is increasingly impacting young people, and those under the age of 12 still can’t get the vaccine for themselves. We won’t gamble with the health of our children, our educators and school staff, nor the health of the communities they serve,” Inslee said at a news conference.