With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
LA Keeps Indoor Masks As California’s Mandate Expires
A customer enters a grocery store enforcing the wearing of masks in Los Angeles in July of 2021.
(
Chris Delmas
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
California has now reached another pandemic turning point: dropping the indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people.
But local governments can set their own policies and Los Angeles County health officials have chosen to keep the indoor mask mandate in place. That’s in line with the current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — to mask up indoors in areas with substantial or high coronavirus transmission, which covers most of the country.
However, some masking rules have been relaxed this week in L.A. County since we have reached the benchmark of seven consecutive days of hospitalizations below 2,500 patients. Masks are no longer required outdoors at child care facilities, K-12 schools and outdoor mega events.
Where Mandates Remain In Place
Mask mandates remain in place on public transit, and indoors in schools, hospitals and shelters throughout California.
Support for LAist comes from
The universal indoor mandate was first put in place in December, when omicron began to surge in the Golden State. California health officials imposed a one-month indoor mask mandate for everyone aged two and up, regardless of their vaccination status.
In January, when case counts exploded and hospitals were again slammed as health workers tested positive, the mask mandate was extended for another month in an attempt to prevent more people from getting infected.
(
Courtesy of the California Department of Public Health
)
Now, the omicron surge is rapidly receding. Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said at a news conference Monday that cases statewide are down 75% from a month ago and hospitalizations have dropped more than 40% in that time period. Ghaly said state projections show a continued decline in hospital numbers.
He said:
"The idea that we'll continue to see reductions in numbers is very important for the decisions that we're making now. We've always talked about how we need to keep the hospital system well supported and protected so they can take care of all the needs of Californians. And this gives us a little bit more confidence that’s where we’re headed.”
While the numbers are improving in L.A. County, health officials have set stricter standards. To adjust the standards for indoor spaces, such as offices and restaurants, the local plan requires that community transmission levels fall into the CDC’s moderate category — about 730 cases per day — for at least two weeks. L.A. County has averaged 4,460 cases per day in the past week.
Support for LAist comes from
Local officials recently set another benchmark for easing indoor mask rules: having the vaccine for children six months to four-years-old available for eight weeks. But vaccine developers are not ready to seek federal approval for the youngest cohort.
Santa Clara and Mendocino are the only other California counties keeping the indoor mask mandate in place.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
The historic properties have been sitting vacant for decades and were put on the market as-is, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $1.75 million. -
Users of the century old Long Beach wooden boardwalk give these suggestions to safely enjoy it. -
The Newport Beach City Council approved a new artificial surf park that will replace part of an aging golf course. -
The utility, whose equipment is believed to have sparked the Eaton Fire, says payouts could come as quickly as four months after people submit a claim. But accepting the money means you'll have to forego any lawsuits. -
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high.
Best of LAist