Gov. Inslee's COVID state of emergency passes two-year mark
Governor Jay Inslee’s COVID-19 state of emergency was issued Feb. 29, 2020, and has allowed him to implement mask mandates and stay-home orders, fire state employees for not getting vaccinated, and implement phased reopening plans.
California, Oregon, Washington to end school mask mandates, governors announce
Schoolchildren in California, Oregon and Washington will no longer be required to wear masks as part of new indoor mask policies the Democratic governors of all three states announced jointly on Monday.
New CDC guidelines say most of Washington can go maskless
The Centers for Disease Control released new guidance on mask-wearing on Friday, and it suggests that the majority of Washingtonians can go maskless right now.
New CDC mask guidance says many healthy Americans can finally unmask
Most Americans live in places where healthy people, including students in schools, can safely take a break from wearing masks under new U.S. guidelines released Friday.
Oregon’s COVID emergency declaration to be lifted in April
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said Thursday she will rescind her statewide COVID-19 emergency declaration on April 1.
Hawaii last state to hold out on lifting mask mandate as COVID cases continue to fall
Hawaii has become the last state not planning on lifting its indoor mask mandate.
Seattle City Council extends outdoor dining permits through January
Eating outdoors in Seattle will continue after city council voted to extend the free street dining permit program through next year.
Elysian Fields to reopen for first time after closing due to pandemic
Fans will have another place to go to before heading into Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park as Elysian Fields Pub reopens for the first time since 2020.
Public to be allowed back in Washington Senate gallery
A limited number of members of the public who show a same-day negative COVID-19 test will be allowed to return to the galleries overseeing the Washington Senate floor, starting Friday.
Judge grants injunction to prevent shuttered COVID testing company from operating in King County
A King County judge granted a preliminary injunction preventing a COVID testing company that the state Attorney General called ‘a scam’ from operating in the state.
Everson steakhouse holds community fundraiser for Whatcom County deputies shot in the line of duty
A fundraiser dinner was held Wednesday night at Herb Niemann’s Steakhouse in Everson for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputies who were shot and injured in the line of duty last week.
Richland school board reinstates mask mandate to March 21 following state announcement
The Richland School Board on Tuesday narrowly voted to end the mandate in local schools, effective immediately. Now, the Richland School District is under 'emergency closure' while they plan a path forward.
Washington state to end mask mandate March 21 for most places, Inslee announces
Beginning March 21, masks will no longer be required in most places in Washington state including restaurants, bars, schools, childcare facilities, gyms, houses of worship and grocery stores, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday.
Washington mask mandate: Students will no longer have to wear masks as of March 21
Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Thursday that the indoor mask mandate would be lifted on March 21. This impacts restaurants, bars, gyms, churches, and schools.
Washington state to lift indoor mask mandate March 21 for most places
Washington’s statewide indoor mask mandate, one of the few left in the country, will lift on March 21, including at schools and child care facilities, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday.
COVID cases falling in Washington, but hospitals remain packed
COVID is declining in Washington, and state leaders are poised to announce end dates for mask mandates and vaccination requirements. Despite the good news, Washington’s hospitals are still packed with patients.
US health officials hint COVID-19 moving closer to no longer being a 'constant crisis'
The nation’s top federal health official says the U.S. is moving closer to the point that COVID-19 is no longer a “constant crisis” as more cities, businesses and sports venues began lifting pandemic restrictions around the country.
Nearly 50 Eastern WA superintendents call for end to mask mandate
Superintendents of school districts across Eastern Washington have signed a letter urging state leaders to end the mask mandate.
Northeast WA school district ends face mask requirement, state threatens to withhold funding
A northeastern Washington school district is risking state funding by no longer requiring face masks for students and staff.