Masks Off, California

Masks off, California. 

As of today, California has lifted indoor mask mandates for vaccinated residents, with the exception of Santa Clara county. 

Vaccinated residents can now shed their masks in restaurants, movie houses, and retail businesses. However, individual businesses can continue to request that patrons wear masks if locally preferred. 

Masks remain mandatory regardless of vaccination status in the following settings: 

-Public transit and transit hubs 

-Indoors at K-12 schools and in child care settings

-Emergency shelters 

-Homeless shelters

-Long-term care and adult and senior care facilities

-Healthcare settings

-Correctional facilities and detention centers

Regarding Santa Clara county, SFGate reports, “Santa Clara County Public Health Director Dr. Sara Cody said last week that while the omicron surge is subsiding, she believes the community transmission rate remains too high to stop requiring masking.” 

In spite of these concerns, public health officials anticipate that Santa Clara will follow suit within several weeks.