What Washington and King County's COVID policies will look like after March 11

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee will lift the most of the state’s indoor masking requirements earlier than he originally planned as a result of new guidance from the federal government.

“We are turning a page in our fight against the COVID virus,” Inslee said during a Monday news conference. “This new page will be based more on empowering individuals and families in protecting themselves, rather than based on government restrictions.”

Those restrictions — which required masks be worn in most public indoor settings, including restaurants, bars, grocery stores, child care centers and gyms — were originally slated to expire March 21. Monday’s announcement that those restrictions would instead expire March 12 was made in tandem with the governors of California and Oregon, and just days after CDC officials said masks were no longer necessary for most people.

King County, which notably did not to commit to lifting its indoor mask requirements after Inslee announced last month that the state’s would expire March 21, also said that its indoor masking restrictions would end March 12.  

Washington has seen a marked decline in new COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths since the omicron surge peaked in late January. New cases are down 67% over the last two weeks, while hospitalizations and deaths are down 39% and 35%, respectively.

Last week, the Seattle P-I published an article that outlined how Washington state and King County coronavirus guidance would change after March 21. Now, we’re updating that article to include the latest information from state and King County officials.

Where are masks still required?

After March 11, masks will still be required statewide in health care facilities, congregate living spaces and on public transit. That includes hospitals, doctors' and dentists' offices, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, jails, prisons, taxis and ride-share vehicles.

Local governments and individual businesses statewide are also free to continue enforcing mask requirements, if they choose.

Where are masks not required?

After March 11, masks will no longer be required statewide for most indoor spaces, including K-12 schools, child care centers, restaurants, bars, libraries, places of worship, gyms, grocery stores and retail establishments.

What’s new with schools?

The state will no longer require masks in its K-12 schools, but individual districts can still impose masking restrictions for their students and staff if they choose. Seattle Public Schools — the state’s largest school district — said it plans to keep masking requirements in place until further notice despite the governor’s announcement.

Masks are also no longer required on school buses statewide. That requirement was originally put in place by the federal government, but was stricken when the CDC announced its most recent guidance last week.

Inslee said more nuanced coronavirus policies for schools will be announced next week.

What about vaccine verification?

Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test are no longer required for large events statewide. King County also terminated its vaccine verification policy for indoor establishments and large outdoor events.  

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

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

It’s possible. If a new, more transmissible variant emerges, it’s likely that state and local health officials would consider reinstating restrictions. Inslee spokesperson Mike Faulk affirmed this in an email. 

"[The] governor has said that if we face another significant variant that is overwhelming our hospitals and putting lives at risk, he would implement measures that are proven to work at curbing infection," he said. "Masks are proven to work at curbing infection."

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.