Washington governor announces end to state's remaining COVID-19 emergency orders

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced the upcoming end of all remaining COVID-19 emergency proclamations and state of emergency by Oct. 31, according to a Sept. 8 statement by the governor's office.

Many of the governor's emergency orders have been lifted, and an additional 13 healthcare orders will end on Oct. 27, according to the release. 

"We've come a long way the past two years in developing the tools that allow us to adapt and live with COVID-19," Mr. Inslee said. "Ending this order does not mean we take it less seriously or will lose focus on how this virus has changed the way we live. We will continue our commitments to the public's well-being, but simply through different tools that are now more appropriate for the era we've entered." 

While the state's emergency orders are ending, public health leaders continue emphasizing the importance of vaccines and masks to keep communities safe.

Washington Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, MD, said that revoking the remaining emergency orders marks an important transition for the state, noting that COVID-19 remains an active threat. 

"We must move forward from a pandemic response to adapting our behaviors to coexist with the COVID-19 virus. Through the continued diligence of Washingtonians, combined with access to resources like the Say Yes! COVID Test program, WA Notify, and Care-A-Van, we will continue our path to recovery," Dr. Shah said. 

Washington was the first state in the U.S. with a reported case of COVID-19.

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