February 25, 2022
LA County Modified the Health Officer Order to Allow Establishments, Businesses and Venues Verifying Vaccination Status to Make Masking Indoors Optional for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

Issued Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022.
To be effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022.
 
As the county continues to experience reduced COVID-19 spread, it is appropriate to consider fewer required safety measures, noting that vulnerable individuals should continue to layer in all protections possible. Given decreased risk, Public Health is modifying the Health Officer Order to allow establishments, businesses, and venues verifying vaccination status to offer optional masking for fully vaccinated individuals. The modified Health Officer Order will go into effect at 12:01am on Friday, February 25.

Given lower hospital admissions and the effectiveness of the vaccines in reducing severe illness, changes have been made in the Health Officer Order that allow establishments, businesses, or venues two options for removing masking requirements for fully vaccinated individuals.

Option 1: Starting this Friday, February 25, establishments, businesses, or venues that want to allow fully vaccinated customers and workers to unmask while indoors must:

a) Verify that 100% of customers (5 and older) and workers prior to, or upon, entry to indoor spaces:

i) Provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, or

Provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 viral test result. Tests for customers must be taken within two days of entry if a PCR test, or one day if an antigen test. Employees will be allowed to submit a negative test result every three days.

Those who are not fully vaccinated or do not show proof of vaccination, are required to provide a negative test, and continue wearing a well-fitting mask while indoors (as required by the state), except when actively eating or drinking.

Option 2: Starting this Friday, February 25, establishments, businesses, or venues that want to allow their fully vaccinated customers to unmask indoors while all onsite workers remain masked, must:

a) Verify that 100% of customers (5 and older) prior to, or upon, entry to indoor spaces

i) Provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, or
ii) Provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 viral test result. Tests for customers must have been taken within two days of entry if a PCR test or one day if an antigen test.

b) Adhere to the following regarding customers and masking:
i) Fully vaccinated customers may be unmasked in the indoor setting.
ii) Customers that are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a well-fitting mask while indoors (as required by the state), except when actively eating or drinking.

Any individual showing proof of full vaccination prior to entering can still choose to wear a mask indoors.
Masking is also no longer required at outdoor Mega Events (10,000 people or more) or in outdoor spaces at childcare facilities and K-12 schools.
 
Per state regulations, indoor masking is required at K-12 schools, childcare facilities, youth settings, healthcare settings, correctional facilities, homeless and emergency shelters, and cooling centers. The State will provide an updated assessment on school safety measures on February 28. Additionally, per federal regulations, masking when riding public transit and in transportation hubs is still required.
FDA Postpones Advisory Committee Meeting to Discuss Request for Authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 6 Months Through 4 Years of Age
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been notified by Pfizer that new data have recently emerged regarding its emergency use authorization request for the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in children 6 months through 4 years of age. Based on the agency’s preliminary assessment, and to allow more time to evaluate additional data, the FDA believes additional information regarding the ongoing evaluation of a third dose should be considered as part of the decision-making for potential authorization. Therefore, the FDA is postponing the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting originally scheduled for Feb. 15. FDA and other committee review meetings are yet to be set. Read more here.