Mask mandate for schools ends March 21

Mask mandates for schools are scheduled to end on March 21 after a recent announcement from Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee.

On Feb. 17 Inslee announced the end to a number of requirements, including masking for indoor spaces and schools.

“I know there are some people who feel it should have ended earlier and there are some that think it’s too soon,” he said during a press conference.

He said bout 1,000 people died of COVID this January and any easing of restrictions earlier would have meant the state could be hit worse.

“We have to have a recognition of how deadly this disease is, even still after all this time,” he said. “I know people would love to say it’s over today, but that would not be consistent with what the science says right now."

However, he said current projections show the state returning to a safe enough level of infection to reduce restrictions by late March.

“I’m confident based on this epidemiological evidence that we can knock this disease down enough,” said Inslee.

Local school districts will have to continue to enforce the mandate until March 21.

“We are still required to enforce the mask mandate until that time,” said Gary Sabol, director of communications at the Arlington School District.

The rules for school buses are still up in the air.

“As of now, they are still required on school buses because of federal law,” said Sabol, however that may be a “moot point” soon because the federal government is expected to release new guidelines sometime in March, he said.

Some restrictions, such as outdoor mask wearing, have been lifted.

“Outdoor mask wearing, effective February 18th, for staff, students and volunteers/visitors will be optional,” said Marysville School District’s director of communications, engagement and outreach Jodi Runyon.

Beginning March 1 school districts can begin accepting parent volunteers into the schools again and local districts like Marysville hope that parents can return to support the classrooms.

Part of the order from Inslee also prevents school districts from forbidding masks. He said those who want to continue wearing a mask should be able to.

“I know that our schools will do a good job in protecting those students who want to wear a mask,” he said.

Local school districts agreed that students and staff can continue with masking after the mandate is lifted.

“We will fully support our students and staff who wish to continue wearing masks in our school buildings after March 21,” said Kristina Bowman, communications specialist with the Lakewood School District.

Sabol said some people will choose to continue masking and that others need to respect that decision.

“The biggest thing is that we want an environment that is free from bullying and harassment,” he said.

The Washington State Department of Health plans to announce additional guidance for schools.

The main preventative measures still in place are social distancing, vaccines and testing measures.

“We expect to receive additional information from public health officials in the coming weeks,” said Bowman.

The state guidelines for the remaining preventative measures may change or stay the same at that time.

“We will do what we always have, which is to follow the guidance we receive from the health experts,” said Sabol.

School boards have the power to maintain the mask mandate if they wish, although Lakewood, Marysville and Arlington have not made plans yet to discuss the issue at a meeting.

“I’m sure it will likely be a discussion item at our next board meeting,” said Sabol, who said that Inslee’s announcement came later in the week, which hasn’t given board members much time to request a discussion if they want it.

Local school district staff thanked the community for their patience and commitment during the pandemic.

“We understand how challenging the past two years have been for all of us, and we remain hopeful that the most recent COVID data signals brighter days,” said Runyon.

“We want to thank our students and staff for everything they’ve done so far to protect our community,” said Sabol.