Face Coverings Update

East Wenatchee, WA – On May 15, Washington State Secretary of Health, Umair Shah, MD, MPH, amended Order 20-03 regarding face coverings. Read the full Order of the Secretary of Health Amending Order 20-03.

The amendment follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) May 13 Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People which states that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Face coverings are still required – regardless of vaccination status – in certain health care settings like hospitals, long-term care, or doctor’s offices; as well as in correctional facilities, homeless shelters, or schools.

Please note, face coverings are still mandatory for individuals who are not fully vaccinated. People are considered fully vaccinated two (2) weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer or Moderna) or two (2) weeks after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Chelan-Douglas Health District realizes that verifying those who are fully vaccinated is a challenge, but is confident that Chelan and Douglas county residents will honor and respect current guidance and continue to wear face coverings when people from outside their household are present or in a place that is generally accessible to people from outside their household.

Further guidance from Washington State Department of Labor and Industries regarding face coverings for employees and the workplace will be communicated as soon as it is available.

To stay informed on current COVID-19 testing sites and the COVID-19 vaccine, visit www.cdhd.wa.gov and follow CDHD on Facebook and Twitter.