As of today (Mon), anyone attending an outdoor event with 500 or more people in Washington state is required to wear a face-covering, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
Gov. Jay Inslee announced the mandate last week.
Washington state Secretary of Health, Dr. Umair Shah says though outdoor events are generally considered to be lower risk for COVID-19 transmission, five outdoor super-spreader events infected more than 500 people at concerts, fairs and rodeos across Washington.
According to state data, the outdoor mask mandate comes as Washington state’s hospitalization rates are at the highest level ever during the pandemic. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health is encouraging hospitals to “limit and curtail elective procedures” in order to maintain enough capacity.
An indoor mask mandate, regardless of vaccination status, was issued by Governor Inslee August 23rd. (AP)
