With cases of the Omicron variant on the decline and Covid fatigue on the rise, officials in California are set to let the state's indoor mask mandate expire for vaccinated individuals on Feb. 15, just days after large international events, such as the Super Bowl - and the GCSAA Conference and Show.
Currently, California requires masks for everyone regardless of vaccination status in all indoor spaces, such as bars, restaurants, retail outlets and convention centers through Feb. 15. State officials had the option to extend these protocols or cancel them, and announced Feb. 7 they plan to let those rules expire as scheduled.
According to the California Department of Public Health, new Covid cases are down by 40 percent since mid-January.
According to the California Department of Public Health, new Covid cases are down by 40 percent since mid-January. That news still is not enough to get everyone off the Covid hook.
After Feb. 15, unvaccinated people still must be masked indoors, including large events like the GCSAA show, and everyone - regardless of vaccination status - will have to wear masks in areas such as hospitals and nursing homes and on public transportation. A total of 6 million children across the state also still will be required to wear masks in schools.
Although the state is easing its restrictions, local health officials may continue to impose more severe restrictions.