Los Angeles County is waiving almost all indoor mask and vaccine testing requirements, local officials said.
The change, which came into effect on Friday, lowers mask requirements in public places such as grocery stores, restaurants and bars. It also eliminates the need to show proof of vaccination or negative test results to enter closed bars, wineries, or most other businesses.
California regulations still require proof of vaccination or a negative test result to participate in large indoor events, as well as masks in transit and other high-risk locations, including hospitals.
Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the county’s director of public health, cited new federal guidelines for measuring risk in communities in her office’s decision to lift restrictions earlier than expected. Los Angeles County is in the low-risk category under updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measures, she said.
However, Dr. Ferrer said that masks are highly recommended and that individual businesses may decide to keep the requirement.
“Covid-19 is a deadly virus and it is still with us – its ebb and flow,” she said. “We need to take advantage of the good times we’re about to get into, where we’re seeing a lot less risk across the board for so many, and be prepared if we see a new option.”
While the city of Los Angeles currently still requires bars, restaurants and many other closed businesses to check on vaccine status, the moment is an important symbolic milestone for the people of Angelenos, who have endured some of the country’s deadliest outbreaks and lived through the pandemic. some of the country’s most enduring restrictions.
Dr. Ferrer was particularly cautious, even as her department faced disappointment from residents who felt strict rules were unnecessary.
However, in recent weeks, Dr. Ferrer, along with other public health officials across the country, has focused on measures to prevent spikes in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
She said the county will continue to help residents get vaccinated and that her department will continue to closely monitor case data to intervene before outbreaks in schools or businesses get out of control. Dr. Ferrer stressed that the county will work to ensure that all communities have equal access to therapy for people with Covid-19.
On Monday, the governors of California, Oregon and Washington jointly announced that they would lift mask requirements at state schools on March 12, which were among the last remaining statewide restrictions. On Tuesday, California officials lifted the requirement for unvaccinated people to be carried in enclosed public places.