6 things to know about California’s indoor mask mandate
Dec. 15, 2021
Coffee shop employee wearing mask
As COVID-19 cases rose and holiday gatherings gained momentum, the California Department of Public Health ordered a mask mandate for all indoor public spaces. However, vaccination and booster numbers have been increasing while COVID-19 case numbers have been decreasing. This has led to the removal of the face mask mandate for all those who are fully vaccinated.
Here are six things to know about the California mask mandate as it now stands:
It’s temporary.
The mask mandate will be revisited in late February, when California officials say they plan to reevaluate it and move forward with plans to pivot to an endemic response.
It’s required only for people who are unvaccinated and in various settings.
If you’ve received your COVID-19 vaccine and booster, you are no longer required to wear a face mask in public indoor spaces. However, everyone — regardless of vaccination status — must continue masking while using public transport and in schools, childcare settings, jails and prisons, health care settings and long-term care settings.
It doesn’t apply to private gatherings.
The mask mandate for people who are unvaccinated applies to indoor public spaces only. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains its recommendations for private indoor gatherings — which include masking for those who are unvaccinated as well as staying home if you are sick and considering a COVID-19 test prior to getting together for everyone.
It’s effective.
Masking requirements for those who are unvaccinated have proven to decrease the rate of COVID-19 infections, in addition to slowing the community spread. Health officials credit masking, in addition to a number of other precautions, with allowing the state to successfully keep schools open. California accounts for 12% of all students in the U.S. but only 1% of COVID-related school closures.
It has exceptions.
The mask mandate applies to everyone who is unvaccinated. However, individuals are exempt if they are fully vaccinated, age 2 or younger, have certain medical conditions, are hearing impaired or have a job that mask wearing would pose a risk. Those who are exempt should still follow standard precautions, such as maintaining a 6-foot distance when possible, avoiding crowded spaces, frequently washing hands and staying home when they are sick.
It’s only one layer in protecting ourselves against COVID-19.
While masking in indoor public settings can help slow the spread of COVID-19, getting vaccinated is still the most effective way to protect yourself and others. The County of San Diego is currently vaccinating individuals age 5 and older and offering boosters for those age 12 and older.
The updated mask mandate will mark a welcome lifestyle change here in San Diego for those who are vaccinated. Vaccination is not only a way to be permitted to move about in public settings without wearing a face mask, it is vital to keeping ourselves and our community safe — and forging a way through the pandemic together.
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