Gov. Jay Inslee issued the order Wednesday, which also applies to higher education institutions and most child care facilities in the state. Washington now has stricter and more decisive requirements than many other places in the United States. Mask mandates have proven divisive in Florida, Arizona and Texas, where school boards, parents and state governments are clashing over who gets to decide requirements.
“This is a serious issue. This is not some suggestion or whimsical idea we’re floating. It is a job requirement,” Inslee said.
Inslee announced the order likely affects about 118,000 workers in early-learning and child care programs, and about 90,000 employees in higher education institutions.
The vaccine requirement doesn’t apply to any students or to tribal schools, but Inslee also issued a new indoor mask requirement for all residents ages 5 and up, set to go into effect Monday.
From Free Pizza To Free Tuition, Colleges Try Everything To Get Students Vaccinated
In Washington, the spread of the delta variant is driving up infection rates. As of Aug. 9, Washington averaged 2,665 cases per day, and Inslee reports more than 95% of COVID-related hospitalizations in the state are among unvaccinated people.
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