Earlier today, Monday, February 28, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee announced, along with governors in the states of Oregon and California, that effective March 12, 2022, indoor mask mandates will be ending. Additionally, Public Health – Seattle King County (PHSKC) announced that they would be lifting the mask mandates in King County at that same time.
It is important to know that the lifting of the mask mandate does not mean that COVID is by any means “over.” Riverview School District will continue to recognize and respect the optional choice of students, staff, and families to continue wearing masks after the mandate is lifted. In the meantime, masks remain required in all schools, school buildings, and on school buses until the mandate is officially lifted.
School districts will receive updated guidance from Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and PHSKC next week, on implications of lifting the indoor mask mandate. New safety and health protocols around distancing, ventilation, and sanitation are anticipated. Guidelines regarding testing for students and staff with possible exposure to COVID-19, Contact Tracing procedures, and requirements for positive tests and isolation protocols are also expected next week.
Today, Governor Inslee stated the following: “We’ve continued to monitor data from our state Department of Health and have determined we are able to adjust the timing of our statewide mask requirement. While this represents another step forward for Washingtonians, we must still be mindful that many within our communities remain vulnerable. Many businesses and families will continue choosing to wear masks, because we’ve learned how effective they are at keeping one another safe. As we transition to this next phase, we will continue to move forward together carefully and cautiously.”
Riverview School District will continue to provide additional updates as more guidance is received and information on next steps are known. Thanks to the
Riverview Community for ongoing patience and understanding as we move into this next phase of the pandemic and better understand how we can continue to keep our students and staff safe at all times.
To see the Governor’s official remarks at today’s press conference, including comments made by Secretary of Health, Umair Shah, please click the link below: