CA Updates Mask Guidance & Health Care Facilities Requirements
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its Guidance for Face Coverings, in response to new CDC guidance recommending mask use for public indoor settings to slow the spread of COVID-19 and the delta variant.
Effective July 28, 2021, masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status:
- On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
- Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare
- Emergency shelters and cooling centers
- Healthcare settings
- State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
- Congregate settings such as homeless shelters
- Long Term Care Settings & Adult and Senior Care Facilities
Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals and recommended for fully vaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public). It is important to wear a mask if you are around someone that is high risk, with unvaccinated children or with people whose vaccination status is unknown especially indoors.
In settings where masks are required only for unvaccinated individuals, businesses, venue operators or hosts may choose to:
- Provide information to all patrons, guests and attendees regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
- Implement vaccine verification to determine whether individuals are required to wear a mask.
- Require all patrons to wear masks.
For complete information and FAQs on the State’s current mask guidance, click here.
