Washington State has issued a number of updates to COVID-19 orders and steering to make clear masking guidelines following Governor Jay Inslee’s announcement that the state-wide masks mandate was lifted efficient March 12, 2022.
Most Locations Are Now Masks-Free for Everybody
On March 11, 2022, Inslee amended his “Washington Prepared” Proclamation (20-25.19) for higher consistency with the Secretary of Well being’s new “Face Coverings – Statewide” order (Order 20-03.8). Each the proclamation and order make clear that masks are required solely in healthcare settings (corresponding to hospitals, outpatient services, and dental workplaces), long-term care settings, and correctional services. The general public is reminded by Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (LNI) that federal legislation nonetheless requires face coverings on public transportation.
Masking in Particular Settings
In particular settings the place masks typically are nonetheless required, staff can take away their masks when:
- Working outdoor;
- They’ve supplied their employer enough documentation that they’re absolutely vaccinated (which doesn’t require boosters) and are working indoors in areas not typically accessible to the general public when solely staff are current;
- Partaking in sure actions, corresponding to sleeping, swimming, bathing, grooming, speaking with somebody who’s deaf or arduous of listening to, confirming id, complying with different legal guidelines, or throughout an emergency.
Sure Individuals Are Additionally Exempt
Kids beneath the age of 5 and anybody with sure medical or psychological well being situations are exempted from carrying masks in any setting. Moreover, if a healthcare setting or long-term care setting is in a personal residence, “people who find themselves not paid to supply well being care, long-term care, or private care providers” wouldn’t have to put on a face masking.
Different Primary Necessities Proceed
LNI has up to date its website to remind employers to proceed following numerous fundamental necessities, together with:
- Isolating or quarantining staff recognized or suspected of an infection with COVID-19;
- Offering handwashing services and provides;
- Repeatedly cleansing and sanitizing surfaces;
- Educating staff about COVID-19 prevention within the language they perceive finest;
- Offering written discover of potential exposures to staff (and employers of subcontractors) on the identical worksite inside one enterprise day of an individual testing optimistic (with out revealing their id);
- Reporting outbreaks involving at the least 10 staff at a office of at the least 50 staff to LNI inside one enterprise day;
- Addressing COVID-19 notification, reporting, and prevention measures in a written Accident Prevention Program or equal security program that’s workplace-specific;
- Permitting staff to put on masks and private protecting gear in the event that they select to and doing so doesn’t current a security or safety situation.
