Masks are optional for both students and staff at Federal Way Public Schools beginning March 12, the school district announced on March 9.

“Masks will be optional in our school buildings and on our school buses,” according to the Federal Way Public Schools website. “Staff and students will have the choice to wear a mask at school, with the expectation that others’ choices will be respected. We will support and honor all individual choices.”

However, masks are required in school healthcare settings such as the health room or nurse’s office.

Federal Way’s masking guidelines follows changes made by the Washington State Department of Health on March 7. A week earlier, Gov. Jay Inslee announced an end to the indoor mask mandate effective March 12.

King County also announced they are not extending their local mask order for schools and childcare facilities, according to Public Health — Seattle & King County.

The Federal Way Public Schools district encouraged families of students who are immunocompromised or at high-risk severe disease to consult their health care provider about continuing to wear masks at school.

Physical distancing will also continue where possible and practical, the district stated.

In addition, the district is also welcoming volunteers back to the Federal Way schools. All volunteers must be fully vaccinated.

There have been eight reported positive COVID-19 cases among students and one positive case among staff as of March 4, according to the district’s COVID-19 tracking dashboard.