Mask mandate ‘a good, moderate step’ to keep state’s hospitality industry running

An expanded statewide indoor mask mandate took effect in Washington on Monday, presenting the potential for new challenges for businesses. When it comes to the state’s hospitality industry, though, many are touting the measure as a necessary step to avoid having to close down entirely.

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“This is a good, moderate step,” Washington Hospitality Association CEO Anthony Anton told MyNorthwest. “We really can’t afford to be closed down again — we recognize that cases are on the way up, and this is the kind of step that allows jobs and our small businesses to step up.”

The state’s directive means facial coverings are required in all indoor, public settings, including retail locations, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, indoor music venues, and nightclubs. Ultimately, the decision was made in consultation with groups like the Washington Hospitality Association (WHA), which have been “meeting with the governor’s office and health officials constantly.”

The larger goal, though, revolves around balancing the need to give individual businesses flexibility, while ensuring the safety of staff and patrons alike. And so, while the WHA has yet to take an official stance on whether something like a more stringent vaccine requirement should enter into consideration, it still supports businesses that make that decision for themselves.

“I’m applauding people for taking action for where it makes sense for their businesses,” Anton said. “I think there’s a lot of issues on this going any further — we’ve got to figure these things out together.”

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In the near term, Anton noted that newly-enacted vaccine requirements for state employees could act as a helpful test case.

“I think we’re trying to learn what happens with a lot of different issues that I think the state is going to help us learn by going first,” Anton pointed out.

That’s all in service of avoiding having to bring other safety measures — like capacity limits — back into the discussion, especially when it comes to accepting new rules for masking up.

“Our preference would very much be to keep restaurants open at full capacity, and doing what we can to protect our guests and build the confidence of leaders,” Anton described. “That’s why we think the mask mandate is a better step than shutting people down.”

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