California Reinstates Mask Mandate
This afternoon, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that California will be reinstating a statewide indoor mask mandate, regardless of vaccination status, from December 15, 2021 to January 15, 2022. This announcement comes in light of the state’s emergence of the Omicron variant, as well as the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, particularly in counties with low vaccination rates. The CDPH press release stated that “since Thanksgiving, the statewide seven-day average case rate has increased by almost half (47%) and hospitalizations have increased by 14%.”
Today’s announcement also comes with an updated travel advisory, which issued the following recommendations:
- “All travelers arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries should follow CDC travel guidance.
- All travelers arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries should test 3-5 days upon arrival.
- All travelers who test positive or develop symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate and follow public health recommendations.”
Furthermore, the state is now requiring that those attending a mega event without proof of vaccination must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day for an antigen test, and two days for a PCR test. View Update