Here's What Will Happen To CA's Face Mask Guidelines After June 15
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — State officials released mask-wearing guidelines Wednesday that will take effect on June 15 when the bulk of COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
The state will align largely with rules outlined last month by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which recommends that fully vaccinated people do not have to wear face-coverings or distance in almost all situations.
"We're really excited to get out there and try new things," Mabel Frias told CBSLA's Lesley Marin. Frias' three daughters were also glad to hear the news, especially the twins who said it's difficult for people to distinguish between them with their masks on.
Under the state's updated guidelines, vaccinated residents will be able to shed their masks except in select circumstances — including public transportation, indoors at schools, child-care facilities, health-care and long-term care facilities, correctional facilities and homeless shelters.
Those who are not vaccinated will have to continue wearing masks at indoor public settings, including retail stores, government offices and movie theaters.
Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Tuesday that the county will also continue requiring masks at indoor "mega events," defined by the state as involving more than 5,000 people -- a rule that would affect major indoor sporting events.
Still undetermined, however, are the masking rules that will apply to California workplaces and office settings.
"I'm going to keep my mask on a little bit longer just for safety, but everyone has their own right to do what they want, " said one Culver resident.
For local businesses like LaRocco's Pizzeria, there are still concerns about whether unvaccinated individuals will follow the guidelines.
"I guess we're just going to have to go on trust with the people," one employee said.
State officials said that businesses can either leave it up to their customers, implement a vaccine verification system or require everyone to wear face-coverings in their establishments. The California Retailers Association made their position on the state's suggestions clear.
"You know, we just cannot be the face mask police," Rachel Michelin, president and CEO of the CRA, said. "At some point in this whole thing, there's personal responsibility and we hope that our customers will respect that retail establishment by following the rules.
Wednesday evening, the board of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, of Cal-OSHA, walked back their initial decision that would've forced people in the workplace to wear their masks if there were any unvaccinated employees. They are expected to align their new ruling closer to state guidelines. That decision is expected to come some time next week.
