Health officials said Monday that California will keep its existing guidance around masks in place until June 15 when the state plans to fully reopen the economy.
That announcement was in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance last week that said fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
The California Department of Public Health said that, as of May 3, face coverings are no longer required outdoors except at crowded events, and for unvaccinated people, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
In indoor settings outside of one's home, including public transportation and schools, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status, CDPH said.
“California has made amazing progress in our fight against COVID-19. With more than 34 million vaccines administered, we now have among the lowest case and positivity rates in the nation,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.
On June 15, California plans to implement the CDC’s guidelines around masking to allow fully vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings, Ghaly said.
“This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue our relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly in underserved communities,” Ghaly reported.
He added, “We urge all Californians to get vaccinated to ensure that infection and hospitalization rates remain low across the state and that we can all return to the activities we love.”
For more information, visit www.covid19.ca.gov.
State of California to keep existing mask guidance in place until June 15
- Lake County News reports