State schools chief says it’s time to remove statewide mask mandate in schools

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Chris Reykdal, Washington’s state superintendent of public instruction, said it’s time to remove the statewide mask mandate for students and return decision-making to local health officials.

Rekdal said high immunity rates and the ability to carry out rapid antigen tests were part of what led to his recommendation.

“As part of the transition from pandemic to endemic, I believe it is safe and timely to eliminate the statewide masking requirement for students and allow for a decision by local health officials. I recommend the governor and Department of Health change the guidance to reflect this in the coming weeks,” Reykdal said in a news release Wednesday.

Reykdal said as part of his recommendation, he expects schools will continue to have rapid tests on hand to quickly assess students, staff, and close contacts who have symptoms.

“Those who test positive will continue to isolate and quarantine until their symptoms subside,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Washington State Board of Health is deciding whether the COVID-19 vaccine should be added to the list of required vaccines students need to have to attend school.

On Thursday, an advisory group unanimously voted to approve two criteria toward requiring COVID-19 vaccines for all students from grades K through 12.

“Unvaccinated adolescents are 10 times as likely to be hospitalized compared to their vaccinated counterparts. The difference has been climbing in adolescents over time,” said infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Eric Lofgren.

Washington is the only western state that has yet to roll back its indoor mask mandate.

Several states, including New York, have also dropped proof of vaccination requirements for entering some businesses.

Washington has been under the current mask mandate since August.

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