California mask requirements to hold steady until June 15

California will keep its current mask requirements in place until June 15, the California Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday.

“On June 15, California plans to implement the CDC’s guidelines around masking to allow fully vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings,” read a statement from CHHS Secretary Dr. Mark Galy. “This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue our relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly in underserved communities.”

The announcement comes four days after the CDC revised its guidelines on mask-wearing.

“Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said on Thursday.

The plan to hold steady tracks with what Governor Gavin Newsom said last week when speaking on the relaxation of restrictions come summer.

“Only in those settings that are indoor,” Gov. Newsom told Fox11. “Only in those massively large settings, where people — from around the world, not just around the country — are convening, and where people are mixing in real dense spaces….Otherwise, we’ll make guidance, recommendations, but no mandates and no restrictions.”

As of Monday, 34 million vaccine doses have been administered in California, according to Dr. Ghaly. At the time of this publication, the official covid19.ca.gov ticker pegged that number at 34,536,581.

The state continues to trend in the right direction; by July, Los Angeles County is expected to reach herd immunity.

“As of May 3, 2021, face coverings are no longer required outdoors except at crowded events, and for unvaccinated people, when physical distancing cannot be maintained,” Ghaly continued in his statement. ““In indoor settings outside of one’s home, including public transportation and schools, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status.”

California’s current mask guidance was published on November 16, 2020 and last updated on May 3. The release states that the requirements would remain in place until “[Cailifornia] reach[es] community immunity from vaccinations.”

CDPH’s current mask guidance for CA

1. For fully vaccinated persons, face coverings are not required outdoors except when attending crowded outdoor events, such as live performances, parades, fairs, festivals, sports events, or other similar settings.
2. For unvaccinated persons, face coverings are required outdoors any time physical distancing cannot be maintained, including when attending crowded outdoor events, such as live performances, parades, fairs, festivals, sports events, or other similar settings. 
3. In indoor settings outside of one’s home, including public transportation, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status, except as outlined below.
4. As defined in the CDPH Fully Vaccinated Persons Guidance, fully vaccinated people can*:
   • Visit, without wearing masks or physical distancing, with other fully vaccinated people in indoor or outdoor settings; and
   • Visit, without wearing masks or physical distancing, with unvaccinated people (including children) from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease in indoor and outdoor settings

As of Monday, no state in the U.S. has achieved herd immunity.

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