SALEM — Workers, patients and visitors in health care settings in Oregon will no longer be required to wear masks to protect against COVID-19, starting Monday, April 3.

The Oregon Health Authority made the announcement Friday, March 3. The state agency is rescinding provisions in Oregon administrative rules that, since the start of the pandemic, have required workers in health care settings — such as hospitals, mobile clinics, ambulances, outpatient facilities, dental offices, urgent care centers, counseling offices, school-based health centers, and complementary and alternative medicine locations — to wear masks.

Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state epidemiologist, said during a March 3 virtual press briefing that the spread of COVID-19 had been abated enough to allow for the step.

“Indicators are declining significantly,” Sidelinger said of the announcement. “We know we are going to have to live with COVID-19 in the future.”

Sidelinger said that what contagion might look like after the mandate is lifted and its possible impact on vulnerable communities will be monitored closely.

“We’re facing this decision with some anxiety,” Sidelinger said.

Washington State officials announced March 3 that they too would drop the mask mandate April 3.

Ending the mandatory mask rule does not mean that masks are barred from medical, health and other facilities.

Sidelinger said one of the main reasons the mandate will end in a month rather than now is for managers and staff at hospitals, nursing homes and other congregate care facilities to discuss what steps they want to take.

A facility could decide that given its patient profiles, it will still require masks. Individual workers may also decide to continue to wear masks, which is permissible under the change in mandate.

“We did not take this decision to lift this lightly,” Sidelinger said.

The requirement has been in effect since August 2021.

In addition, an executive order that gave hospitals flexibility to respond to a surge in respiratory infections — including COVID-19, RSV and influenza — will expired on March 6.

“This change in requirements from the Oregon Health Authority is definitely welcomed news here at Grande Ronde Hospital, in our local community, and across the state,” GRH President and Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Davis said. “It is one more indication that we are moving beyond pandemic mode and are entering the recovery phase. Just as it was before COVID-19, there will always be a need for masking in some patient care situations and settings. However, after the past 21 months of mandatory masking for all workers, patients and visitors, the lifting of this requirement is a hopeful change.”

Lifting the health care mask requirement stems from data in recent weeks that have shown overall decreases in circulation of the three respiratory pathogens that triggered a surge in visits to hospital emergency departments and intensive care units last fall, according to Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state epidemiologist. He said that, as of March 3:

• COVID-19 test positivity is at 10% and is expected to continue dropping.

• Influenza test positivity is at 1.2%.

• RSV test positivity is at 1.6% for one class of testing and 3.5% for another.

Announcing the end of the mask requirement now gives the health care system, local public health authorities and other health partners time to prepare for the change, according to the Health Authority. That includes adjusting policies, training and procedures that ensure patient safety and access to health care.

It also gives members of the public, particularly populations at increased risk of severe disease — communities of color, tribal communities, rural communities, lower-income communities, those with underlying medical conditions, seniors and parents of vulnerable infants — a chance to plan health care visits and protective measures.

People at higher risk for severe disease, or who live with someone at higher risk, should still consider wearing masks in health care or any settings, the agency added.

Some health care settings may continue to require masks even after the requirement is lifted.

Masks remain an effective way to reduce transmission of respiratory viruses, the agency added, and Oregonians are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with vaccinations and boosters.