Gov Inslee Announces Safety Requirements

Governor Inslee Announces Fall COVID Safety Requirements for Public and Private Schools

Yesterday (July 28, 2021), Governor Inslee announced updated safety precautions all K-12 schools in the state of Washington must follow as they prepare for full time, in-person instruction this fall. During the press conference he announced updated Washington State Department of Health (DOH) regulations that continue mask requirements for all staff, students and visitors while indoors at schools, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings will not be required to be worn outdoors for any student, staff or guest. The DOH report notes the indoor mask requirements may be lifted for vaccinated students and staff later in the fall, depending on viral conditions.

The governor stated this decision to continue mask mandates is due to the impacts of the COVID-19 Delta variant and increasing case counts, especially in school-aged children. Inslee noted the masking and other safety provisions are legally required and apply to all public and private schools in Washington State. They cannot be changed, modified or relaxed by local district school boards or district officials.

The updated requirements relax many of the quarantining and isolation requirements for vaccinated students and staff in order to minimize time missed from class. Extra and co-curricular requirements will be published later in August according to DOH.

Walla Walla Public Schools staff will be carefully reviewing all of the new updates and communicate details to all staff and families prior to the start of school.

To learn more about COVID-19 and vaccine opportunities, visit the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health’s website at: https://www.covidwwc.com/

The revised Wa DOH fall school information can be accessed here:
• https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/820-105-K12Schools2021-2022.pdf