Inslee mandates wearing of masks while out in public

Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman announced Tuesday a statewide mandatory face covering order that will take effect this Friday.

The order comes after a Saturday announcement of a mandatory mask proclamation for Yakima County starting this week, according to a news release from the governor's office. The order was in response to reports of increasing case counts and a potential overwhelming of the county’s health care system.

After subsequent reports of cases increasing in additional counties, the governor and Wiesman extended the face covering requirement to include the entire state of Washington, the release said.

“As necessary economic activity increases and more people are out in their communities, it is imperative that we adopt further measures to protect all of us,” Inslee said during a press conference Tuesday. “Until a vaccine or cure is developed, this is going to be one of our best defenses.”

Starting Friday, every Washingtonian must wear a facial covering when in a public space, as mandated by the public health order signed by Wiesman. This includes both indoor and outdoor public spaces.

"The science is clear that when we use face coverings, we limit the spread of droplets being passed on to others when we talk, cough or sneeze, "Wiesman said in the release. "While some of us are wearing face coverings in public, we must increase usage to best control the virus.

"Washington's strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if, together, we act safely and follow health recommendations."