Washington's mask mandate takes effect Monday. Here's where vaccinated people need to wear masks

Washington's new mask mandate takes effect Monday, and all residents ages 5 and older will now be required to wear a mask in indoor public places regardless of their vaccination status.

The reissued mandate comes as cases of COVID-19 are surging in the state due to the more-transmissible delta variant and slowing vaccination rates. Hospitalizations are also growing amid this fifth wave, with the Washington State Hospital Association reporting 1,240 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, a new record high. Between February and August of this year, 94.5% of COVID-19 cases who were hospitalized in the state were not fully vaccinated.

"For those that are frustrated by any of our actions during the pandemic, we need to be clear why this has happened: it's because not enough people are getting vaccinated," Gov. Jay Inslee said during a news conference Wednesday.

Unlike the previous universal mask mandate, there are several specific exceptions and exemptions this time around. Here's what Washington residents need to know about the new mask mandate.

I'm vaccinated. Where do I need to wear a mask indoors?

The new mandate will apply to all people, regardless of vaccination status, in indoor public spaces where they are near people who are not in their immediate household. That includes grocery stores, gyms, theaters, and bars and restaurants when not actively eating or drinking.

People will also need to continue to wear masks on public transit and airline flights according to new guidance from the Transportation Security Administration issued last week.

Will I have to wear a mask at work?

Vaccinated people working indoors alone or in areas that are not accessible to the public or other workers are not required to wear a mask under the new rules. Examples of those situations include a sole occupant in an office with an enclosed door, a crane operator in an enclosed cab or a package delivery driver with no face-to-face interaction.

However, all unvaccinated workers will still be required to wear a mask while on the job, even if their position is not public facing.

What about outdoors?

Masks are not required outdoors under the new mandate but are recommended by the Department of Health if you are in crowded outdoor areas like farmers markets, sporting events, fairs or outdoor music festivals.

The new recommendation follows after more than 200 attendees of the Watershed Music Festival at the Gorge tested positive for the virus. The festival was the state's largest live music event since the pandemic began in 2020 with over 28,000 attendees.

Are there any other exceptions or exemptions?

Small indoor gatherings at a private residence where all people are vaccinated will not be required to follow the new mandate.

Additionally, the mandate will not apply for indoor sports when an athlete, coach or sports official is actively engaged. However they will be required to wear a mask when on the bench or sidelines. That exception does not apply to indoor gyms and other fitness facilities like yoga, dance and martial arts studios, and people will be required to wear a mask or appropriate face covering while inside.

Those leading a performing arts performance — think musicians and dancers — or leading religious services will not be required to follow the mandate.

People with medical conditions, mental health conditions and cognitive or developmental conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask are considered exempt from the new mandate.

Are children required to wear masks?

Children younger than 5 years old are exempt from the new mandate, however it is "strongly recommended" by the Department of Health (DOH) that children between the ages of 2 and 4 wear a mask in indoor public settings.

The DOH does not recommend that children under the age of 2 wear a face covering due to the risk of suffocation. 

How long will the new mandate last?

It's unclear, but likely until cases of COVID-19 begin to drop again or more people get vaccinated. Approximately 2 million people above the age of 12 and older have not started their vaccine series and are still unprotected against the virus, according to Secretary of Health Umair Shah.

"We know that masks work, as a tool it has more immediate impact, and that is what we need to turn the tide across our state," Shah said during the Wednesday news conference. "We hope this is an interim step and one that can be lifted as soon as we see things turned around. That time is unfortunately not today."

Will businesses have to reduce capacity or close again?

No, businesses will not have to reduce capacity levels or close again under the new mandate. But those options remain on the table if coronavirus cases start to overwhelm the state's hospital system.

"What we’re doing instead of shutting down businesses and schools is continuing on that path by using tools that will allow us to keep those open, and that’s masks and vaccines," Inslee said.