In response to an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced on Monday, Dec. 13 that it will require masks to be worn indoors in all public settings regardless of vaccination status.
The updated guidance will go into effect on Wednesday, Dec. 15 until at least Jan. 15, 2022.
The seven-day average case rate has increased across the state by 47% since Thanksgiving and hospitalizations increased by 14%, according to the CDPH.
CDPH noted in a statement that it is rolling out the new mandate in order to slow the spread of the Delta and highly transmissible Omicron variants.
Gov. Gavin Newsom removed the mask mandate in June, coinciding with the state’s reopening. The mandate lift allowed vaccinated people to visit grocery stores, retail and other public spaces without masks.
In Long Beach, the mask mandate was never lifted and required masking indoors in public settings and businesses regardless of vaccination status.
The mandate will go into effect across the state, including places like Orange County where vaccinated people were not required to wear masks in many indoor public settings according to a revised Nov. 17 OC Health Officer’s Orders and Recommendations statement.
According to the updated guidance, those attending mega-events like concerts and sports events will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative antigen COVID-19 test within one day of the event or a negative PCR test within two days of the event.
A new travel advisory also went into effect immediately to recommend that all travelers arriving in California get tested for COVID-19 within three to five days of arrival, regardless of vaccination status.
“Vaccines and these temporary measures will allow friends and families to safely spend the holidays together and will add critical layers of protection to keep people safe,” CDPH Director Dr. Tomás Aragón said in a statement.
As of Dec. 12, there were 24 confirmed cases associated with the Omicron variant in the state including seven cases reported in Los Angeles and one in Long Beach. The variant was first reported to the World Health Organization on November 24 and its first case in Los Angeles was reported in early December.
The CDPH noted that after Jan. 15, the state will make further recommendations as needed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
