Health district defers on masking guidance

EPHRATA — Grant County Health District Officer Alexander Brzezney announced on Thursday the end of most mask mandates, after analyzing county data on COVID-19 incidence rates, according to a press release from the GCHD.

“Grant County will now follow the Centers for Disease Control and the Washington Department of Health guidance on masking,” the release stated.

The mandate was imposed in May 2020.

Coronavirus incidence rates dropped between June 17 and June 30. The county had an incidence rate of 164 cases per 100,000 residents on June 17 and the rate declined to 110 cases per 100,000 residents on June 30.

“The pandemic is not over, however,” the release stated. “Masking is still appropriate in many situations.”

People who aren’t fully vaccinated are asked to wear masks in certain indoor public settings, including businesses, and employers are required to get verification of vaccination, GCHD stated.

Masks are required for everyone in some areas, such as health care facilities, homeless shelters, correctional facilities and public transportation and transportation hubs.

Masks also are required in K-12 schools, child care facilities, day camps and other places where children congregate, GCHD stated.