Washington's COVID-19 state of emergency will end Oct. 31, Gov. Jay Inslee says - Axios SeattleLog InLog InAxios Seattle is an Axios company.

COVID-19 state of emergency will end Oct 31 Gov Inslee says

Photo Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Karen Ducey/Getty Images Washington's COVID-19 state of emergency is coming to an end. Driving the news: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that the state's last 10 will expire Oct. 31. That includes Inslee's underlying order declaring Washington to be in a pandemic , which has been in place since Feb. 29, 2020. Why it matters: Under Washington law, a state of emergency gives the governor wide authority to ban activities he deems a threat to public "health, property or the public peace.”Once the order is lifted, it will diminish Inslee's ability to take steps such as banning group gatherings, activating the Washington National Guard and closing schools and businesses — actions he took earlier in the pandemic. The backstory: For months, Republicans have chafed at Inslee's ongoing state of emergency, calling it unnecessary and an infringement on the powers of the Legislature. Most other states their emergency orders. According to the , only about a dozen others still have a COVID-19 emergency order in place. Details: In addition to ending the civil emergency, the governor will also nix state-level requirements that education and health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19. Those workplaces will be able to continue requiring inoculations if they choose, however.State workers will still be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 under a different Inslee directive, while hospital workers still need to wear face coverings under a separate order from the state Department of Health. What they're saying: Even though the state of emergency is coming to an end, COVID remains a threat, killing more than 300 people a day nationally and at least 10 people daily in Washington state, the governor's office said.Public health officials continue to encourage people to mask in crowded indoor spaces and stay up to date on vaccines to help curb the spread of the virus. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

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