Pierce County issues mask mandate for large, outdoor events
Sep 3, 2021, 4:06 PM
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Beginning Tuesday, anyone over the age of 5, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a face covering at large, outdoor events in Pierce County.
Dr. Anthony L-T Chen, Director of Health for Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, issued the mandate on Friday, just a day after King County’s health officer, Dr. Jeff Duchin, did the same.
Large gatherings means any event with 500 or more people in attendance.
“We also recommend you wear mask in any crowded outdoor setting where physical distancing is not possible,” Pierce County said in a news release.
The county issued a mask mandate for indoor settings in mid-August. Also in effect is a statewide mask mandate for indoor settings, which include grocery stores, malls and community centers.
“We are taking this step to ensure the most vulnerable people in our community do not become infected or spread COVID-19,” Dr. Chen said. “The highly contagious delta variant is causing a rapid increase of positive COVID-19 cases and leading to increased hospitalizations and deaths.”
Pierce County is reporting that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are at an all-time high.
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