SEATTLE — King County is dropping its mask mandate Tuesday for those who are fully vaccinated.
It comes one day before the state is expected to fully reopen.
Officials say 70% of people 16 and older in King County are now considered fully vaccinated, meaning it’s been two weeks since they received their final dose.
Now that the local directive has ended, the Washington state mask guidance is in effect in King County, meaning those who are not vaccinated need to continue wearing masks in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces.
County health officials say the unvaccinated should also continue to take other measures, including social distancing and avoiding crowded indoor spaces.
According to Public Health - Seattle & King County:
“Because COVID-19 spreads through the air, including from people who do not have symptoms, it is critical for those who are unvaccinated to continue to wear masks indoors and limit indoor gatherings with unvaccinated people to decrease their risk for acquiring COVID-19 and spreading the infection to others. With more contagious variants circulating, if COVID-19 increases in the future, mask-wearing may be recommended more widely to prevent the spread of infection.”
Public Health said everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, should continue to keep a mask with them when they go out, as they will be needed in some indoor spaces. Businesses are allowed to require customers to wear masks, regardless of whether they’ve been vaccinated.
Health officials also said not to throw away your masks. They will be needed again if there is another surge of COVID-19.
“Thanks to highly effective COVID-19 vaccines and decreasing rates of disease in our community at this time, vaccinated people are no longer directed to wear masks in most indoor public settings but may choose to do so at their discretion.” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Currently, the statewide vaccination rate is at 68.2%. The goal is 70%, but, Gov. Jay Inslee said the state would likely reopen on June 30 regardless.
For questions about the state’s reopening, visit https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/safereopen.aspx.