By County News Center
San Diego, CA–Given that COVID-19 Omicron cases and hospitalizations have significantly decreased across the state, including San Diego County, the indoor mask mandate established by the California Department of Public Health nearly two months ago will expire on Feb. 15.
The County follows the state’s recommendations; therefore, the mask requirement will also expire locally.
Well-fitted masks will still be required indoors for people who are not fully vaccinated. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one shot of the Johnson and Johnson immunization.
“People who are not fully vaccinated are more likely to become infected compared to people who have received all the recommended doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, including the booster,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., County public health officer. “The vaccines are the best protection there is to prevent people from getting seriously ill, ending in the hospital, or, worse, dying.”
Masks will still be required in schools and in certain settings regardless of vaccination status.
The County Board of Supervisors voted on Feb. 8 to ask the California Department of Public Health to phase out masking in schools in a “safe and responsible” manner.
On Feb. 7, the California Department of Public Health announced that “the state is continuing to work with education, public health, and community leaders to update masking requirements at schools to adapt to changing conditions and ensure the safety of kids, teachers, and staff.”
The County Office of Education is the entity responsible for providing guidance to the county’s 42 school districts.