As recently as last Friday, Governor Inslee stood firmly on his decision to keep March 21 as the date Washingtonians would be able to remove their masks. On Monday of this week, he reduced the wait by nine days and moved the date to March 12.

The withdrawal of the masking requirement means that customers and staff of indoor public settings, including bars, restaurants, schools, gyms, museums, movie theaters, and other venues, will no longer have to wear masks.

Masks requirements will continue in some settings, including health care, public transit, long-term care facilities, and correctional facilities. Local governments and businesses may require masks for entry if they so choose.