California Updated Masking Guidelines for Indoor Public Spaces and K-12 Schools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CDPH Updates COVID-19 Masking Guidance for Indoor Public Spaces and K-12 Schools and Childcare Facilities
- General Indoor Public Spaces: Effective March 1, 2022, the statewide mask mandate for unvaccinated individuals within indoor public spaces will be lifted, and replaced with a strong recommendation for masking within indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
- K-12 Schools and Childcare Facilities: Effective March 12, 2022, the statewide mandate requiring universal masking in K-12 schools and childcare facilities will be lifted, and replaced with a strong recommendation.
Masks will still be required in the following select settings, regardless of vaccination status:
- Public Transit
- Hospitals and Healthcare Settings (including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities)
- Emergency Shelters
- Correctional Facilities
Since February 14, 2022, statewide COVID-19 cases have dropped 66%, hospitalizations have dropped 48%, pediatric hospitalizations have dropped 47%, and test positivity has dropped 53%.
The updated masking guidance announced today is in line with the recently introduced California SMARTER – the next phase of California’s COVID-19 response. California SMARTER is anchored in the State’s focus on equity and addressing disparities. Details on SMARTER can be accessed here: https://files.covid19.ca.gov/
The CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Masks can be accessed here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
COVID-19 TESTING
About the tests:
- The at-home tests are rapid antigen tests, not PCR
- Can be taken anywhere
- Results in 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
- The tests will work whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms
- The tests will work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines
When to test:
- If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
- At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19, or
- When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.