Washington State Fair Ordered To Implement Mask Mandate

PUYALLUP, WA — Visitors heading to the Washington State Fair this weekend will be required to wear masks after all. In addition, the fair will also have to cut down on rides and vendors in order to make more room for social distancing.

Dr. Anthony L-T Chen, Director of Health for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department on Tuesday announced his intention to issue a health order requiring masks be worn at all times at the Fair. The mandate means masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. Before Chen's order, the Fair had indicated it would only require masks in indoor spaces.

Now masking will be required at all times, even on rides or at outdoor performances like the rodeo. According to the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, the decision is necessary to prevent further strain on the county's already-overtaxed health care system.

"Pierce County’s local healthcare systems are at a critical stage right now and do not have capacity for an influx of patients," the agency said. "We are supporting coordination among healthcare and service partners to provide additional personnel on-site throughout the event to help alleviate that stress."

The Fair will offer masks to visitors who do not have them. The Fair will not require that visitors be vaccinated and will not ask their vaccination status, the health department said.

The Washington State Fair begins this Friday and runs through Sept. 26. During that time, thousands if not tens of thousands are expected to visit the fairgrounds in Puyallup to ride rides, eat food, watch concerts and more. To keep the event as safe as possible, the Health Department also says it will require the fair to:

• Test employees for COVID-19 before and during the fair.
• Offer public testing to visitors.
• Offer the COVID-19 vaccine daily at two locations on the fairgrounds.
• Cut rides 10 percent to give more space for physical distancing.
• Have 25 percent fewer vendors, and put dividers between vendors in the Mattress Firm ShowPlex.
• Install additional handwashing and sanitizing stations throughout the fairgrounds.

The Washington State Fair has issued a statement responding to the order, saying it will adhere to the Health Department's order, but that organizers also understand if visitors feel like skipping the crowds this year. It reads, in part:

We realize that some of our guests might not agree with this mandate, but it is crucial we adhere to this, for us to open our gates – and remain open. So please, bring your mask and wear it during your visit. Have a great time at the biggest party in the state.

We understand if you need to skip our party this year, but we look forward to seeing you again soon.

The Washington State Fair has also posted a new F&Q about the mask order for visitors with further questions.

Before this latest surge of COVID-19 infections, most coronavirus safety guidance allowed for large outdoor gatherings to remain maskless, operating under the assumption that virus transmission was limited in outdoor spaces. However, the ascent of the delta variant, which spreads much more easily, has thrown that assumption into question. Earlier this month, an outdoor music festival in George, Washington was linked to a multi-county outbreak that sickened hundreds of people across the state.