Fearing the rapid increase in COVID cases there, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health has restored the regulations on wearing masks indoors.
The department said that since California lifted extensive restrictions including physical distance and capacity restrictions on June 15, new COVID cases in the county have increased more than sevenfold.
Therefore, it stated that people living in Los Angeles County must also wear masks indoors, even if they have been fully vaccinated, effective from 11:59 pm local time on July 17th.
The new mask regulations in Los Angeles do not impose any restrictions on corporate occupancy rates. The county health officer, Dr. Muntu Davis, said at a press conference attended by the Associated Press that for those dining in restaurants, the regulations mean that if they do not eat or drink, they need to wear a mask.
Davis said in a press release that the county is expected to continue to require masks until officials begin to see improvements in the spread of COVID in the community.
This New mask requirements This means that the county is now inconsistent with the guidelines of other parts of California, and the regulations of other parts of California are not required in most indoor environments.
California’s COVID guidelines state that people who are vaccinated do not need to wear a mask, except in public transportation, health care facilities, K-12 schools and other youth facilities indoors, correctional facilities, and homeless and emergency shelters.
and CDCThe mask guidelines state that a fully vaccinated person can resume activities without wearing a mask or keeping six feet away—though it does leave room for exceptions required by federal or state law.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that people who have not been vaccinated still need to wear masks in indoor places across the United States.
People are generally considered to be in the second dose of Moderna or Pfizer The first shot of the vaccine, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is also the only shot.
CDC data shows that as of July 14, the 7-day moving average of new cases in California was 2,058, which was higher than 1,591 a week ago.
More and more cases The whole united statesAccording to the CDC, as of July 14, the 7-day moving average of new cases was 26,306, which was higher than 15,541 a week ago.
Mission from Delta variant Throughout the country, Has become the main form of COVID in the United States
Davis said at a press conference on Thursday, “Considering what we are seeing now, it is too late to wait for something to be done.”
Davis said: “Regardless of the vaccination situation, wearing masks indoors must once again become the norm for everyone, so that we can stop the trend and level of transmission we are currently seeing.
“We continue to urge all eligible residents to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their family and friends.”
Frederick J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
