Come Monday, masks will be requested but not required at many health care facilities in the Spokane region. One exception is the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, which still will require masks for all within its facility under current federal guidelines. Another contrast is just across the border, where Kootenai Health said that because of higher transmission rates, it so far will still require universal mask-wearing in its hospital. Generally elsewhere, the mask rules are more relaxed, as the state Department of Health announced ending its universal masking requirement April 3 for health care, long-term care and adult correctional facilities – because of statewide declines in COVID-19 cases and respiratory illnesses. A few contingencies still calling for masks include if a patient requests mask-wearing or someone has COVID or respiratory symptoms.