Long Beach has responded to a rising number of COVID-19 cases by extending the mask mandate on indoor public transit.
The City has been requiring passengers to wear a mask on public indoor transit since the latest Safer-at-Home Health Order from Los Angeles county sent out on April 22.
Residents must wear a mask when they are in:
- Commuter trains
- Buses
- Taxis and ride-shares
- Airport and bus terminals
- Train stations
- Seaport or other indoor port terminals
- Any other indoor area that serves as a transportation hub
The department also stated in the order that it would reassess the mask mandate either every 30 days or when the seven-day rate reaches below 50 people per 100,000, whichever comes first.
From April 28 to June 3, the seven-day COVID-19 case rate in Long Beach more than doubled.
On April 28, the seven-day rate for positive COVID tests in Long Beach was 72.8 people per 100,000. As of June 3, that number has reached 230 people per 100,00, according to a statement released from the city.
The seven-day case rate is even higher in Los Angeles County, with 320.57 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
On May 21, Long Beach entered the yellow (medium) tier, the second of three tiers of the CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels.
The city released a statement saying, “The rise in cases has led to an increase of outbreaks across the city, including among our K-12 schools and nursing facilities, putting some of the most vulnerable residents at risk.”
The city is also urging residents to take other common-sense measures as we see an increase in cases. These measures include: washing your hands more frequently, staying home when sick, testing for COVID after coming into contact with someone who tested positive and staying up to date on your vaccines and boosters.
