Vaccinated Bay Area Residents Can Ditch Their COVID Masks For Most Indoor Settings
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- Across the San Francisco Bay Area Wednesday morning residents began enjoying a level of new freedom since the pandemic roared back to life last summer as statewide and local mandates requiring vaccinated individuals to wear COVID masks in most indoor settings were lifted.
The strict indoor mask requirements were put in place last summer during the surge of the delta variant and remained in place during omicron's steep uptick in the cases. Now with new cases plunging, officials say its time for a change.
The only holdout in the region was Santa Clara County where health officials still are not comfortable lifting the mandate. The mandate also remains in place for unvaccinated individuals across the Bay Area and state.
"I know that some may be weary of masking while others are anxious about the consequences of people unmasking," Santa County public health director Dr. Sara Cody told reporters last week. "And there are varying and strong opinions in our community. But ultimately, our job is to follow the science to keep our community as save as possible and to insure that we continue to protect the people who are most venerable."
"I think it's okay. It's the right time," said UCSF infectious disease specialist Dr. Peter Chin-Hong.
With the region's high vaccination rates and high omicron infection rates, Chin-Hong said it is likely safe, but he's still moving with caution and won't be making a grocery run without a mask for a while.
"The last time I really felt comfortable was June 15th, 2021. I really felt comfortable then. Our disease level was at sea level then," he told KPIX 5. "I think we will get there because so many people have gotten omicron and our very high vaccination rate - but we probably won't get there immediately. I'm projecting we will get there by early March, certainly by mid-March. "
While the mandate easing covers most indoor settings including restaurants, bars, grocery stores offices, and museums, there are local exceptions.
For example, the masking requirements remain in place for San Francisco City Hall and city-operated buildings. Individual business owners also have the option to still require masks, but were thrilled to now have a choice.
"We're going to take off our masks and we are so excited!" said Lisa Lucero with Accents boutique in Novato.
"Time is here where we are not pushed to put our mask on," added business owner Mondi Safa.
While many have been looking forward to this day, store employees know for some it's going to take time to adjust and get comfortable being around others not wearing masks again.
"Of course we want to be careful and respectful," Lucero said. "So people come in the store and they want to wear their masks, no problem. I will put one on if they feel more comfortable with me wearing one."
Along San Francisco's famed Fisherman's Wharf, business owners were welcoming the new health order.
Workers at Ripley's Believe It or Not! museum say they expect to get more visitors.
"Since a lot of tourists come to the pier, it's probably a lot like since a lot of people that aren't from California don't like wearing masks, I feel like it would bring a lot more people in honestly," said cashier Jasmine Castillo.
Castillo said it has been tough enforcing the mask policies.
"If you walk through the museum, we have to keep telling them to put it back on, and it's a struggle," she said.
The mask mandate still applies in schools, healthcare and congregate settings, on public transit and in any business that asks for one. We saw signs outside stores in Walnut Creek saying masks were optional today.
This time around -- after last year's June 15th "re-opening" and subsequent delta surge there was more hesitancy in going bare-faced.
"I've been asking everybody if they want me to wear a mask inside. Some have said "yes" and I'm fine with that, I keep my mask right here with me - I'll respect whatever they want to do," said Jennifer Andre of Walnut Creek.
Other folks say they are just not ready yet.
"I wear this out of consideration for other people," said Trenton Gregory of Walnut Creek. "I'm a cancer survivor and I know other people who have little children who aren't vaccinated, so I think that this empowering, more out of respect for other people."
Andria Borba contributed to this story.