On Tuesday, L.A. Public Health laid out the requirements needed for mask mandates to end in L.A. County.

While neither the California state nor federal mandated mask requirements can be changed at the county level, there are several instances where mask mandates can be lifted in L.A. County.

However, the mask mandates within the L.A. Public Health Officer order may change for indoor businesses and spaces, as well as outdoor “mega events” holding more than 10,000 people.

Lifting Mask Mandates For Mega Events

In order for the mask order to be lifted from outdoor “mega events” with 10,000 or more people a handful of things must first happen.

  • L.A. County positive case rates must be below 50 per 100,000 residents for three consecutive weeks. That would meet the CDC’s criteria of being below “moderate transmission.
  • Daily COVID-19 hospitalizations must remain at or below 600 for three consecutive weeks.
  • At least 80% of county residents 12 and older must be fully vaccinated.
  • No new variants circulating that would affect the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Lifting Mask Mandates For Indoor Areas (Less than 1,000 people)

In order for mask mandates to be lifted in non-mega event indoor areas, including work places, the above requirements must be met, plus:

  • The indoor site must have a vaccination verification process in place, and all employees and customers must be fully vaccinated.

State and Federal Mask Mandates

Because these situations fall under state and federal orders, the county cannot lift the mask mandate for the following:

  • Schools
  • Childcare
  • Healthcare settings
  • Correctional facilities
  • Homeless shelters
  • Emergency shelters
  • Cooling centers
  • Indoor mega events involving more than 1,000 people, such as concerts and professional sporting events

 

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