Fully vaccinated people to forgo masks in public, indoor places

PIERCE COUNTY — Pierce County Public Health (PCPH) released an advisory order in April requiring individuals age 5 and older in Pierce County to wear a face mask when occupying an indoor public space where a non-household member is also present in the same room or enclosed space.

On Monday, May 17, PCPH amended the advisory order to allow fully vaccinated people to forgo masks in public, and indoor spaces. Employers, businesses, schools, and facilities may continue to require masks for everyone based on their own discretion.

“We have highly effective vaccines readily available. We’ve known for a while that those who are vaccinated are largely protected from serious illness and death, but emerging evidence is now also demonstrating that the vaccines greatly reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. We ask people who are not yet vaccinated to please be honest and wear a mask, and consider becoming vaccinated soon.”

Masks are a simple intervention to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and are a proven intervention to prevent outbreaks in schools. COVID-19 spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets that travel through the air when you cough, sneeze, talk, shout, or sing. Masks help reduce the spray of droplets when worn over the nose and mouth. The most protective masks are those that fit snugly against the face and have multiple layers.

The advisory order is set to expire June 4. PCPH intends to allow the advisory order to expire after June 4, but will continue recommending masks in certain situations in alignment with CDC guidance.

To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, visit https://piercecountycovid19vaccine.as.me/ or call 715-2736755. Information and data related to COVID-19 in Pierce County can be located by visiting PCPH’s website.

Submitted by Pierce County Public Health