Here's what to know about Washington's new COVID-19 guidelines

State and local governments across the United States are easing pandemic restrictions as health officials and the American public begin to accept that COVID-19 will become a part of daily life for the foreseeable future.

Washington’s indoor mask mandate — which was initially implemented in 2020, then nixed in early 2021, only to be reinstated weeks later — is set to lift in most places on March 21. At a news conference last week, Gov. Jay Inslee said that date was chosen based on current hospital admission projections.

“To those who think maybe it should end earlier, all I can tell you is we lost 1,000 people in January to this disease,” he said. “And when we make decisions, it seems to me we ought to have a recognition of how dangerous and deadly this disease still is after this period of time.”

Additionally, Inslee said the state will no longer require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to attend large events — those with 500 or more attendees — after March 1.

Like the rest of the country, Washington has seen steady declines in the number of new cases and hospitalizations since the omicron surge peaked late last month. The average number of new cases has dropped 58% over the past two weeks, and the number of hospital admissions is down 32%.

Despite this, public leaders are hesitant to completely ditch pandemic restrictions. Masks will still be required in some indoor places statewide, and King County — the state’s largest county — says it has no current plans to lift its indoor mask order. Inslee also said private businesses can continue to enforce mask wearing and vaccine verification for employees and customers, if they choose.

While more detailed guidance is expected to be released by the state Department of Health in the coming weeks, here’s what we know so far about latest COVID-19 policies in Washington and King County.

Where are masks still required?

After March 21, masks will still be required statewide in health care facilities and congregate living spaces, and on public transit. That includes hospitals, doctors' and dentists' offices, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, jails, prisons, taxis, ride-share vehicles and school buses.

In King County, masks will still be required in most indoor settings. That includes child care facilities, restaurants, bars, gyms, stadiums, grocery stores and retail establishments. This will not change after March 21, unless the county updates its current guidance before then.

“If cases and hospitalizations continue to fall and our hospitals recover and stabilize, it is reasonable that we will be at a place to lift the local indoor mask mandate, but we are not there yet,” the county said in a recent update on its website. “We will keep watching the numbers closely and will reassess.”

Private businesses statewide are also free to continue enforcing mask requirements, if they choose.

Where are masks not required?

After March 21, masks will no longer be required statewide for most indoor spaces, including K-12 public and private schools, universities, child care facilities, restaurants, bars, libraries, churches, gyms, grocery stores and retail establishments.

The state and King County ended mask requirements for gatherings of more than 500 people on Friday.

What about schools?

The state Department of Health is expected to release updated guidance for schools next month that will go into effect on March 21. At last week’s news conference, Inslee said individual school districts can choose to require students and teachers to wear masks even after the mandate ends.

If King County does not lift its local mask order by March 21, it’s possible students and teachers in King County schools will be wearing masks in the classroom while students and teachers in neighboring counties will not.

What’s new with vaccine verification?

After March 1, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will no longer be required for large events statewide. King County is also lifting its vaccine verification policy for indoor businesses and large outdoor events on that date.

However, individual businesses and venues across the state can still enforce such policies, if they wish.

Will these restrictions be brought back if the state’s outbreak worsens?

It’s very possible. If a new, more transmissible variant emerges, it’s likely that state and local health officials would consider reinstating restrictions.  

The current consensus among the nation’s top health officials is that we should treat COVID-19 like the weather. If it looks like it’s going to rain, consider wearing a raincoat. If it looks like hospitalizations and deaths are rising, consider requiring masks or other restrictions. And so on.