The state of California will eliminate its universal mandate for the use of face masks in closed public places for vaccinated people as of February 15, authorities announced Monday.
The measure, which Governor Gavin Newsom took amid the reduction of the wave of infections of the omicron variant of COVID-19, will apply in
counties that do not have local orders
on the use of masks, such as San Diego, Orange , Riverside and San Bernardino, as well as in fringes of the San Joaquin Valley, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In Los Angeles County and much of the San Francisco Bay Area, which have local mask orders, the measures will remain in place.
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Newson shared the news through the social network Twitter and said that “
the rate of cases has decreased by 65%
since our omicron peak.
Our hospitalizations have leveled off statewide.”
Unvaccinated people, he said, will still have to wear masks indoors.
And he added: “Get vaccinated.
Put on the booster."
In places such as nursing homes and public transport, the use of masks
will continue to be mandatory
for both unvaccinated people and those who are.
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This image from video provided by the Office of the California Governor Gavin Newsom shows the governor holding his mask during a news conference in Los Angeles on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. Office of the Governor Gavin Newsom via AP, Pool / AP
While this measure is being taken, the state will also increase the attendance capacity for "mega-events" both indoors and outdoors: from 500 to 1,000 and from 5,000 to 10,000, respectively, according to the aforementioned media.
This will be subject to additional recommendations and requirements regarding coronavirus testing and vaccination verification.
