SEATTLE — As we hurtle toward a possible full reopening of Washington by June 30, mask mandates -- or the efforts to drop them -- are prompting confusion among the public.
Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is not coinciding with local policies in some cases.
The CDC says those who are fully vaccinated don’t need to wear masks indoors or outdoors, but there’s really no way to verify who has actually received the vaccine.
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Kroger, which owns QFC and Fred Meyer stores, says it’s following CDC guidance and dropping the mask mandate for its stores starting Thursday.
Washington has also dropped its mask mandate for those who are fully vaccinated, but Public Health – Seattle and King County is still urging people to wear masks indoors.
“Over the weekend, the CDC Director and the Washington State Department of Health clarified that ending indoor mask mandates should be linked to local COVID-19 rates and vaccination coverage rates. King County’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates are elevated, and Public Health is considering whether ending the indoor mask mandate is the best option in King County at this time. We will provide an update later this week,” Public Health – Seattle and King County said on its website.
The state health department says it supports rules from individual counties and businesses.
“Ultimately, we do support those communities and those businesses, those establishments that want to continue to require masks,” said Washington Health Secretary Dr. Umair Shah.
A union representing grocery workers is urging retailers to not drop mask policies,
saying:
“Before the new CDC mask guidance, we knew that unmasked shoppers were ignoring COVID safety measures and likely unvaccinated, so we knew to keep our distance if we were concerned. Now, it is virtually impossible to tell who is and is not vaccinated.”
Kroger said it will continue enhanced cleaning and social distancing. The company is also offering a one-time $100 bonus to employees who get vaccinated.
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May 20, 2021 at 08:35PM
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Kroger drops mask mandate for the fully vaccinated; rules varying by business - KIRO Seattle
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