OLYMPIA—In a media update on Tuesday, June 23, Gov. Jay Inslee announced that facial coverings will be mandatory statewide, in all public places and will take effect this Friday, June 26. Inslee added that a willful violation of this order is a misdemeanor.

Inslee noted Washington State’s recent rise in COVID-19 cases, particularly in Eastern Washington, as prompting the directive.

Inslee stressed using common sense regarding this mandate, noting that what type of mask you wear is up to you, and that you do not need to wear one when you are outdoors unless six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained.

Secretary Wiesman, Department of Health, reiterated that 20-40 percent of individuals who acquire the virus are asymptomatic, which highlights the need for facial covering use.

Exemptions include children under the age of two and for people who are deaf or have hearing loss.