Inslee announces facial covering requirement to start June 8

OLYMPIA-In addition to the new Safe Start reopening plan, Gov. Inslee also announced new safety and health requirements for businesses operating in Washington.

Beginning June 8, all employees will be required to wear a cloth facial covering, except when working alone in an office, vehicle, or at a job site, or when the job has no in-person interaction. Employers must provide cloth facial coverings to employees, unless their exposure dictates a higher level of protection under the Department of Labor and Industries' safety and health rules and guidance. Refer to Coronavirus Facial Covering and Mask Requirements: https://tinyurl.com/y9vfoeq9 for additional details.

Employees may choose to wear their own facial coverings at work, provided it meets the minimum requirements.

Employers must also post signage at their place of business strongly encouraging customers to wear cloth facial coverings. Businesses are encouraged to require customers to wear cloth facial coverings, in order to protect employees from exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.

Inslee stressed the importance of wearing cloth facial coverings in public as business activity increases in the state.

"Wearing a mask is strongly encouraged in most circumstances to protect the health of our communities," Inslee said. "As we start to increase travel, recreation, and economic activity, it is critical that we remain diligent in order to avoid a sharp increase in exposure. We will continue to closely monitor disease data to determine whether additional steps are needed to protect public health."