King County's Mask Directive Ends
and Washington State Fully Reopens
Pioneer Square Business Stakeholders-

The following is an update on the King County mask mandate and the Washington State economic reopening plan effective June 30th, 2021.


With 70% of King County residents age 16 and older considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the number continuing to increase, Public Health – Seattle & King County has announced the end of the current King County Mask Directive that has been in place since May 20, 2021.

Now that the local directive has ended, the Washington state mask guidance is in effect in King County. Unvaccinated people will need to continue wearing masks in indoor public spaces and crowded outdoor spaces and continue to take other precautions including avoiding crowded indoor spaces and physical distancing. This page highlights what you need to know from the State Health Order on face coverings.

While the local mask directive has ended in King County, it's important to know that:

  • Vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask in most public settings but may choose to do so based on personal considerations.

  • Everyone, vaccinated or not, should continue to keep a mask with them when they go out. Masks will be needed in some indoor spaces.

  • People who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must continue to wear face coverings when they enter indoor public spaces, according to state guidance. This helps protect not only adults who are unvaccinated, particularly as more contagious variants are spreading, but also children and those with medical conditions that prevent them from getting vaccinated or from being fully protected by vaccines.

  • Businesses are allowed to request or require their customers and employees to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

  • If there is a surge in COVID-19, masks will be an important tool. Don't throw away those masks!

With more contagious variants circulating, if COVID-19 increases in the future, mask-wearing may be recommended more widely to prevent the spread of infection. Public Health – Seattle & King County has developed answers to three common questions about COVID-19. These are available in the following languages: Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Dari, English, Korean, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese.


In addition to the King County mask directive ending, starting June 30, the State of Washington is removing most COVID-19 restrictions. All industry sectors previously covered by the Roadmap to Recovery or the Safe Start plan (with the limited exceptions noted here for large indoor events) may return to usual capacity and operations under the Washington Ready plan. This does not include masking, which will continue under current guidance.

Reopening guidance:

  • Vaccine verification/negative testing: Recommended but not required for large indoor and outdoor events
  • Capacity limitations: No restrictions in restaurants, bars, stores, businesses, theaters etc. (except large indoor events)
  • Physical distancing: No requirements
  • Facial coverings: Not required for vaccinated individuals, unless required by individual business
  • Travelers: Follow CDC recommendations

Large indoor events are restricted to 75% capacity, unless vaccination verification is occurring. Large indoor events are defined as any event with more than 10,000 simultaneous participants located in an indoors enclosed space. If vaccination verification is occurring prior to entry, and the venue requires all attendees be vaccinated, there are no capacity restrictions. However, vaccinated sections as a way to go above 75% capacity will not be allowed, unless all attendees are vaccinated. No physical distancing requirements apply and attendees must follow the current masking requirements. Restrictions on large indoor events will be reevaluated on July 31, 2021.

This means that most businesses and organizations may choose to operate as they did before the COVID-19 pandemic with no capacity limits or physical distancing requirements. However, COVID-19 is still present in our communities. Any organization or business may choose to maintain capacity limits or physical distancing, and may require masks which are required in some settings. As re-opening occurs, Public Health is urging businesses and organizations with indoor facilities to take steps to improve air ventilation and filtration. For more information on re-opening, visit Washington State Department of Health's Frequently Asked Questions about reopening.
Sincerely,

The Alliance Team

ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE