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Students and teachers across the state will be able to go to class without masks starting , Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday. For some of Washington’s youngest students, it will be their first time experiencing school without wearing a mask.

“This is a big moment,” said state schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal, appearing with Inslee at Thursday’s news conference.

But Reykdal also cautioned that the step doesn’t mean the end of the global virus outbreak. “It means we have a little bit more flexibility now to take that next step.”

Masks won’t be required at schools, child care facilities and most other businesses, Inslee said, but they’ll still be required on school buses and public transit. And school districts can choose to require students and teachers to wear masks even after the mandate ends. The Department of Health will update its guidelines for schools the week of March 7.