Pasadena aligns with state reopening guidelines

On Tuesday, many sectors and activities in the City of Pasadena were allowed to resume per the Health Officer Order to comply with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance for use of face coverings and select sector public health protocols. With the percentage of the California population vaccinated against COVID-19 increasing and cases of COVID-19 and related hospitalizations decreasing, the State of California rescinded its Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework on Tuesday.

In a press release, however, the city warned that “unvaccinated individuals are still at risk for COVID-19 infection and spread to others, and we must remain vigilant against variants of the disease, especially given high levels of transmission in other parts of the world.”

All individuals and businesses are required to comply with the Guidance for Face Coverings issued by the CDPH:

• Indoor mega-events, with 5,000 or more attendees (including, but not limited to conventions/conferences, expos, sporting events and concerts) – these events must comply with restrictions set forth in the CDPH guidance Beyond the Blueprint for Industries and Sectors, including but not limited to:
  • Verification of fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative test results for all attendees;
  • Information must be prominently placed on all communications, including the reservation and ticketing systems, to ensure guests are aware of testing and vaccination requirements (including acceptable modes of verification); and
  • Attendees must follow CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings, that requires masks for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses, including mega-events.
• Outdoor mega-events, with 10,000 or more attendees (including, but not limited to music or food festivals, car shows, large endurance events and marathons, parades, sporting events and concerts) – these events must also comply with restrictions set forth in the CDPH guidance Beyond the Blueprint for Industries and Sectors, including but not limited to:
  • Verification of fully vaccinated status or pre-entry negative test result is strongly recommended for all attendees. Attendees who do not verify vaccination status should be asked to wear face coverings. 
• Attendees must follow the CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings. 
• Information must be prominently placed on all communications, including the reservation and ticketing systems, to ensure guests are aware that the State strongly recommends that they be fully vaccinated, obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to attending the event, or wear a face covering. 
• Venues are required to make available masks for all attendees.
• Face coverings are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses, including, but not limited to:
  • Restaurants
  • Retail establishments
  • Theaters
  • Family entertainment centers
  • Meetings
  • State and local government offices serving the public.
• Face coverings are required regardless of vaccination status in the following locations:
  • On public transit, including trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride-shares and in transportation hubs including bus terminals, subway stations, or any other area that provides transportation;
  • Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings;
  • Health care facilities, including long term care facilities; and
  • Homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers.

Additionally, employers and workplaces must continue to comply with Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards.

All individuals must continue to follow the requirements in the COVID-19 Pasadena Public Health Reopening Protocols for Public and Private Schools and School-Based Programs TK-12, Early Care and Education, Day Camps, and effective guidance for other youth settings and supervised youth activities.

The Pasadena Health Order issued on Monday rescinds all other previous orders of the Health Officer except requirements for COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine.

“We are so thankful to Californians for getting vaccinated so that we can now reopen more broadly. These orders maintain a few focused public health requirements that address the risk posed by large groups of people not yet eligible for vaccine and by potential variants, given that some regions across the world continue to experience high levels of transmission,” said Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Pasadena Health Officer and Director. “We continue to urge the community to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19 illness that is still a real risk, especially as people engage in more activities and travel.”

For COVID-19 vaccine clinic locations in Pasadena, visit cityofpasadena.net/covid19vaccine/.  

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