Governor Inslee and the Secretary of Health have signed a proclamation requiring all persons to wear a face covering in public in response to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Washington State, beginning Friday, June 26, 2020.
However, the order does not apply to all persons, and contains a few exceptions. The order states as follows:
Every person in Washington State must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in any indoor or outdoor public setting, including, but not limited to:
- Inside any building, including, but not limited to, any business, that is open to the public;
- In healthcare settings, including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician’s or dentist’s office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank;
- While in line waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit, or while riding in a taxi, private care service, ride-sharing vehicle, or other for hire vehicle; and
- In outdoor public areas, including but not limited public parks, trails, streets, sidewalks, lines for entry, exit, or service, and recreation areas, when a distance of at least six feet cannot be maintained from any non-household member.
Individuals may remove their face coverings when in public settings under the following circumstances:
