The City of Long Beach’s Health Department is aligning with the State’s updated health order that strongly recommends masking in most circumstances but does not require it, the City said in a statement on Monday, Feb. 28.
According to the City, masks will not be required for unvaccinated people starting Tuesday, March 1, but will be strongly recommended for everyone regardless of vaccination status.
Masking will be required in certain places such as healthcare facilities, jails and prisons, emergency shelters, cooling centers, homeless shelters and public transit.
As of March 12, the mask requirement at schools and childcare facilities will be dropped, but masks will still be “strongly recommended while on school property,” the City said.
The City’s updated mandate will deviate from the state’s when it comes to bars and nightclubs, where Long Beach will still require proof of vaccination. The City will continue to recommend proof of vaccination at restaurants as well.
The City noted that businesses that are not required to apply universal masking have the option to continue masking requirements for customers and employees.
In some workplaces, employers are still subject to certain CalOSHA regulations.
The Health Department encouraged people to continue masking indoors and follow common-sense COVID-19 safety approaches like staying home when sick, frequent handwashing and testing when experiencing COVID-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has the virus.
