OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday announced that the state Secretary of Health would be issuing an order for all people in the state to wear facial coverings while indoors in a public space or outdoors when unable to maintain social distancing.

The order takes effect Friday, and failure to comply would be a misdemeanor, Inslee said.

Grant County Health Officer Dr. Alexander Brzezny in late May ordered people inside the county to wear masks under similar conditions but did not identify penalties for failing to comply. Officials with Grant County Health District have recently stated that Brzezny had the legal authority to fine or penalize people who weren’t compliant but chose not to do so.

Exemptions exist for those whose health may be impacted by face coverings, for those who are deaf or hard of hearing and for children under the age of five, among others with health-related reasons. Children under the age of 2 should not wear masks, Inslee said, though children age 2 to 5 are recommended to wear facial coverings.

This order does not replace existing social distancing and hygiene requirements, Inslee said.