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3:59
California: masks will no longer be used indoors due to a decrease in omicron cases
The use of a mask for school-age children is still mandatory
The state of California has ended the requirement for the use of face masks indoors, for people who have completed the vaccination plan.
After the 15th of this month, people who are not yet vaccinated will still need to wear masks indoors. All people who have a vaccine or not, must wear a face mask in risk areas such as public transportation, hospitals, or nursing homes.
Local governments can continue with their own measures on the use of masks. Last week, Los Angeles health authorities assured that they still intend to maintain their measures.
Use of masks at events
State authorities also announced that large events with more than 1,000 people must request vaccinations or negative tests for those who attend.
People who do not have a vaccine must wear masks. For outdoor events with more than 10,000 attendees, a vaccination card will not be requested, but the use of masks and negative tests is suggested.
These margins increase compared to the current ones, which are 500 people for indoor events and 5,000 for outdoor events. This decree is announced days before the Super Bowl this Sunday, which will feature 100,000 people at the SoFi stadium in Los Angeles.
The rate of infection by the Omicron variant continues to fall
With the rate of infection falling rapidly, California will also eliminate the requirement to present a negative covid test to enter hospitals and nursing homes.
Dr. Tomás Aragon, State Public Health Officer, stated that the omicron variant, having a low mortality rate, has made it easier for the situation to progress correctly.
Aragon assured that vaccines for children under 5 years will be available shortly. He added that access to coronavirus treatments is no longer so complicated.
In addition, I guarantee that they are making the necessary modifications for prevention measures. At the same time, they develop a sustainable action plan for the state of California.
The infection rate in California has dropped 65%, from the highest point in winter, with the arrival of omicron.
The California government, led by Gov. Gavin Newsom, reinstated mask wearing in early December when omicron peaked. In January, the measure was extended until the 15th of this month.
California, with the arrival of omicron, had more than 80,000 deaths, and more than 8 million confirmed infections last week. All of these numbers dropped significantly on Monday and are expected to continue their decline at the same rate.
In December, before announcing the measure of the use of a mask, California had omitted from this announcement people who had been vaccinated until June 15.
Newson called that date “California’s grand reopening.” Many counties, however, quickly returned to mask use as cases spiked in the summer.
additional changes
Democrat Newson has been repeatedly pressured by the Republican wing to scale back the measures. He recently stated that California is prepared for the moment when Covid is considered endemic.
Public health authorities announced Monday that more changes to the state's measures will be announced next week.
These announcements from California come after New Jersey and Delaware announced their measures to eliminate the state's requirement for masks in schools, by next month.
In addition, they assured that they will continue working with educational leaders, public health and the community. This will help update the requirements for the use of face masks in schools, as long as the safety of children and all school personnel is guaranteed.
Days ago, Barbara Ferre, director of public health for Los Angeles County, assured that the increase in infections will be considered over in the locality, when hospitalizations are below 2,500 for a week.
Following this, Los Angeles will end the mask requirement for large outdoor events, such as concerts or sporting events, and for indoors at schools and daycare centers.
Among its plans is to continue the measure of the use of masks indoors, until the county manages to maintain a “moderate” rate of 50 infections per 100,000 people for 15 days. This as long as there are no reports of new variants.
Currently, the rate in Los Angeles is 117 cases per 100,000 people.
