Mask Mandates Lifted in Several US Hospitals

The Washington State Health Department will no longer require face masks inside healthcare facilities, but several healthcare systems and hospitals, including UW Medicine, EvergreenHealth, Swedish Medical, Overlake Medical, Kaiser Permanente Washington, and Seattle Children’s, will continue to require masks at their discretion. Hospitals and facilities are individually designating areas where masks will continue to be required after Monday. The decision to continue mask requirements is based on risk assessments and state and federal guidance. Nurses are preparing for pushback from visitors and patients about continued mask requirements.