Washington's mask mandate takes effect Monday. Here's where vaccinated people need to wear masks
Washington's new mask mandate takes effect Monday, and all residents ages 5 and older will now be required to wear a mask in indoor public places regardless of their vaccination status.
The reissued mandate comes as cases of COVID-19 are surging in the state due to the more-transmissible delta variant and slowing vaccination rates. Hospitalizations are also growing amid this fifth wave, with the Washington State Hospital Association reporting 1,240 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, a new record high. Between February and August of this year, 94.5% of COVID-19 cases who were hospitalized in the state were not fully vaccinated.
"For those that are frustrated by any of our actions during the pandemic, we need to be clear why this has happened: it's because not enough people are getting vaccinated," Gov. Jay Inslee said during a news conference Wednesday.
Unlike the previous universal mask mandate, there are several specific exceptions and exemptions this time around. Here's what Washington residents need to know about the new mask mandate.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/washington-s-mask-mandate-takes-effect-monday-here-s-where-vaccinated-people-need-to-wear-masks/ar-AAND68Z