Governor Inslee Reinstates Statewide Mask Requirement and Expands Vaccine Mandate

Dear WWU Employees, 

In response to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus and to protect the health of the community, Gov. Jay Inslee yesterday reinstated a statewide mask requirement and ordered all public and private school employees to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of their employment.  Higher education employees and contractors also fall under the new mandate, as well as certified, licensed and contracted early learning and child care providers. 

The indoor mask mandate is effective on August 23 and applies to those vaccinated and unvaccinated.  Western’s indoor mask policy now states that a mask or other suitable face covering is required indoors when other people are present and in all public and common areas, such as lobbies, hallways, stairways, restrooms, elevators and shared vehicles.  

The Governor earlier this month ordered most state workers and healthcare employees to be fully vaccinated unless they qualify for documented medical or sincerely held religious belief exemptions.  Today’s order expands that requirement to all Western employees.  Western will engage with our bargaining units and PSO leadership on the changes, and additional details will be forthcoming from Human Resources. 

Please, get vaccinated if you haven’t already, and report your vaccination status.  For questions, please reach out to our COVID Support Team at covidsupport@wwu.edu. 

Coming together for the common good will help us avoid further impacts on our learners, our families and our economy.  Thank you for doing your part. 

Sabah