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On March 1st, California rescinded its mask mandate for unvaccinated individuals in indoor settings, but allowed individual cities and counties the leeway to address the matter based upon their unique circumstances.
Just two days later, the County of Los Angeles Health Officer followed suit and adopted the state’s mask guidance in its new Health Officer Order. Prior to this change, only fully vaccinated individuals were permitted to remove their masks in indoor public settings.
Accordingly, except in the specific work settings listed below, employees working indoors may work without a face covering, regardless of their vaccination status. Furthermore, employers in the County of Los Angeles are no longer required to verify vaccination status and/or a negative COVID-19 test before allowing employees or visitors to remove their masks.
Despite the relaxation of the masking requirements, individual businesses may opt to keep mask and/or vaccination requirements in place if they so wish. In fact, both the California Department of Public Health and the County of Los Angeles continue to recommend masking in crowded indoor settings.
Under both the new California and L.A. County rules, masking is still required in the following settings:
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K-12 schools and childcare (until March 12th);
- On public transit and in transportation hubs;
- Emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers;
- Healthcare settings;
- State and local correctional facilities and detention centers; and
- Long term care settings and adult and senior care facilities.
In addition to rescinding its mask mandate, the new County of Los Angeles Health Officer Order also includes the following changes:
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Provision of Masks. In workplace settings where masks are not required, employers must offer medical masks or respirators at no cost to their employees who have contact with others indoors and request one.
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Mega Events. While indoor mega events are still required to verify attendees’ vaccination status or negative COVID test before entry, outdoor mega events are no longer required to do so.
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Bars, Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries, Nightclubs, & Lounges. These establishments are no longer subject to Los Angeles County’s vaccination mandate.
Importantly, certain cities within the County of Los Angeles may have contradictory rules and regulations still in effect. These rules must be followed until they are changed. For example, the City of West Hollywood continues to require vaccination to use the indoor portions of restaurants, fitness establishments, and personal care establishments.
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