Got A Mask? Yakima Officials Say Keep it Handy After Saturday

You can drop that mask on Saturday in Yakima. Starting Saturday March 12 face masks will no longer be a requirement in many indoor settings in the state. That means masks won't be needed in department stores, K-12 schools, restaurants, gyms and grocery stores. But masks will still be required on Yakima Transit and at the airport.

Friday, March 11 is the two year anniversary start of the pandemic

Friday is the two-year anniversary of beginning of the pandemic in America and Washington State. Health officials say hospitalizations are down 80% throughout the country over the last six weeks. The United State's is now seeing the lowest level of cases since July of 2021.
But while the indoor mask mandate is over Saturday you'll still need the masks in medical facilities, in taxis and ride-hailing services. long-term care facilities and public transit.
Specifically in the city of Yakima city officials say because of the ongoing federal requirements Yakima Transit employees and passengers will need to "continue wearing masks while on board the bus and utilizing Dial-A-Ride services.

The mask requirements for Yakima Transit is supposed to end in April

City officials say the mask requirement on public transit will be in place until April 18 after an announcement by the federal Transportation Security Administration Thursday. Federal officials say the mask requirement may be extended beyond April 18. Yakima Transit Manager Alvie Maxey says "while the Washington state mask mandate for most public indoor settings ends this Saturday, the federal Transportation Security Administration order takes precedent."

You'll still need that mask at the airport and while on a flight

Flying anytime soon? The mask requirement also applies to passengers and employees at the Yakima Airport terminal and on flights.