The risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection will remain in California until we reach community immunity with vaccinations, especially in communities heavily impacted by COVID-19. Continued use of face coverings helps prevent COVID-19 transmission among people with higher risk of infection (those who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised), those with prolonged, cumulative exposures, a​​nd individuals whose vaccination status is unknown.

California has updated its Masking Guidance, to ensure that we continue to collectively protect the health and well-being of all Californians; keep schools open for in-person instruction; and allow California's economy to remain open and thrive.

In workplaces, employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard (PDF) and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.

Questions & Answers

Why are we issuing an updated mask mandate now?

The current hospital census is still over capacity, but the dramatic surge in cases and hospitalizations due to the highly infectious Omicron variant since December 2021 has declined significantly. Californians are also increasingly knowledgeable about how to protect themselves and their loved ones with effective masks when there may be risk of COVID-19 exposure. Accordingly, it is now appropriate for the universal indoor masking requirement to expire on February 15th, 2022 as scheduled.

Do fully vaccinated people ever have to wear masks?

The updated guidance requires all persons (regardless of vaccine status) to wear a mask in indoor public settings specified below. In these settings, surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit are highly recommended.

• On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
• Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare
• Emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers
• Healthcare settings
• State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
• Homeless shelters
• Long Term Care Settings & Adult and Senior Care Facilities

See full CDPH Masking Guidance for more information.

If many people are vaccinated, why do we sometimes still need to wear face coverings?

The risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection will remain until we reach community immunity from vaccinations, especially in communities heavily impacted by COVID-19. While the updated guidance does not require fully vaccinated persons to wear a mask in some indoor public settings, they are recommended to continue indoor masking when the risk may be high.

Are children required to wear masks indoors in K-12 schools and childcare settings?

The February 16th update to the CDPH guidance continues to require universal masking in K-12 and Childcare indoor settings. Refer to the CDPH K-12 Guidance for indoor masking requirements in school-based settings and the CDPH Childcare Providers and Programs Guidance for children under 5 in childcare settings.

When must unvaccinated people wear masks?

In addition to the places listed above where everyone must still wear masks, masks are required for unvaccinated persons in all indoor public settings and businesses (for example: live performances, indoor malls, movie theaters, places of worship, indoor mega events, and indoor museums). Surgical masks or higher-level respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) with good fit are highly recommended.

For additional information on types of masks, the most effective masks, and ensuring a well-fitted mask, individuals should refer to CDPH Get the Most out of Masking.

Does this guidance apply to persons who are incompletely vaccinated (persons who have only received one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine)?

Yes, only persons that are fully vaccinated are not required to mask in indoor public settings.

Does this guidance apply to all workplaces?

Yes, the guidance applies to all workplaces, regardless of whether they serve the public, or are open to the public. Masks may be removed, per the exemption noted below, if the workplace consists of a single employee, or may be removed while an employee is alone in a closed office or room.

In workplaces, employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) (PDF) Standard and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.

Do "indoor public settings" include local board and commission meetings?

Yes, board and commission meetings are indoor public settings.

Does this guidance apply to colleges and universities?

Yes, all unvaccinated students, staff and faculty are required to wear a mask in all indoor public settings.

Do visitors in healthcare settings, correctional facilities and detention centers also need to wear a mask?

Yes, all persons (vaccinated and unvaccinated) must wear a mask when visiting a healthcare facility, a long-term care facility (like a skilled-nursing facility), a correctional facility or a detention center. See State Public Health Officer Order issued July 26, 2021 for a full list of high-risk congregate and other healthcare settings where surgical masks are required for unvaccinated workers, and recommendations for respirator use for unvaccinated workers in healthcare and long-term care facilities in situations or settings not covered by Cal/OSHA ETS or ATD.

Does anyone need to continue to wear masks outdoors?

In general, people do not need to wear masks when outdoors. However, per CDC recommendations, in areas of substantial to high transmission, people might choose to wear a mask outdoors when in sustained close contact with other people, particularly if they or someone they live with has a weakened immune system or is at increased risk for severe disease, or if they are not fully vaccinated, or live with someone who is not fully vaccinated.

Will unvaccinated children and youth be required or recommended to wear a mask during recess outdoors if they cannot maintain physical distancing?

In general, unvaccinated children and youth do not need to wear a mask outdoors, even if they cannot maintain physical distancing. However, per CDC recommendations, in areas of substantial to high transmission, people who are not are not fully vaccinated might choose to wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact (including high-risk contact sports) with other people who are not fully vaccinated.

What if masks cannot be worn due to heavy exertion while playing indoor sports, exercising or conditioning?

Masks are required for unvaccinated persons, as practicable, while playing all indoor sports, exercising or conditioning. If a mask cannot be worn due to heavy exertion, CDPH strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals undergo screening testing at least once weekly. An FDA-approved antigen test, PCR test, or pooled PCR test is acceptable for evaluation of an individual's COVID-19 status. Masks, however, must be worn in locker rooms.

In situations where surgical masks are required for source control, can higher-level respirators (e.g., KN95s, KF94s, or N95s) be voluntarily used instead of surgical masks?

Yes, in situations where surgical masks are required for source control, voluntary use of a higher-level respirator (e.g., KN95s, KF94s, or N95s) is also acceptable. This does not supersede any requirements for use of a respirator under Cal/OSHA ETS or ATD.

Who is exempt from wearing a mask?

The following individuals are exempt from wearing masks at all times:

• Persons younger than two years old. Very young children must not wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation.
• Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance.
• Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
• Persons for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.

Additionally, exceptions to the masking requirements apply in the following circumstances in specified settings:

• Masks may be removed while actively eating or drinking.
• Persons who are working alone in a closed office or room.
• Persons who are actively performing at indoor live or recorded settings or events such as music, acting, or singing. If performers do not wear a mask indoors while performing, CDPH strongly recommends that individuals undergo screening testing at least once weekly. An FDA-approved antigen test, PCR test, or pooled PCR test is acceptable for evaluation of an individual's COVID-19 status.
• Persons who are obtaining a medical or cosmetic service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the services.
• Workers who wear respiratory protection, per Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Persons who are specifically exempted from wearing masks by other CDPH guidance.

What should I do if my mask feels wet or gets saturated with sweat?

Any face mask that feels wet or becomes saturated with sweat should be changed immediately.

How does a business verify if someone meets a masking exemption?

 In settings where masks are required only for unvaccinated individuals, businesses, venue operators or hosts may choose to:

• Provide information to all customers, guests and attendees regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
• Require proof of vaccination.
• Require all patrons to wear masks.

Businesses may deem a customer, guest or attendee to have self-attested to being vaccinated, or to have met an approved masking exemptions, if the business has prominently displayed signage prior to entry explaining the requirements for unvaccinated individuals to wear a mask and the individual enters the business premises without wearing a mask.

No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.

How would a business provide information to their customers about mask requirements?

A business may post a sign or placard at the entrance to their business notifying customers of the mask requirements. Additionally, businesses may post such information on their website or at point of ticket sale prior to entry or notify their members of masking requirements.

Can I be prevented from wearing a mask?

No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.

​Originally Published on June 14, 2021