Masks To Be Required Indoors Regardless Of Vaccination Status
Posted Thursday, July 15, 2021 9:54 P.M. Pacific Time
Today, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced a new order
that will require masks indoors regardless of vaccination status for everyone
starting at 11:59 P.M. on Saturday. The Health Officer Order was put into place due
to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the County.
The County has seen a spike in case numbers since the reopening on June 15. Today,
1,537 new cases (3 deaths) were reported. That number along with previous numbers
has the community transmission rate rapidly increasing from moderate to substantial.
The Delta variant continues to be a concern for health officials along with those
who still haven't been vaccinated. So far the Department of Public Health has identified
1,262,578 positive cases of COVID-19 and a total of 24,566 deaths to date. 406 people
are currently hospitalized and 22% of those people are in the ICU.
Muntu Davis, MD, MPH (Los Angeles County Health Officer) released the following statement:
"We share our deepest condolences with those of you who have lost friends, loved ones, and
family during this difficult time. We expect to keep masking requirements in place until we
begin to see improvements in our community transmission of COVID-19. But waiting for us
to be at high community transmission level before making a change would be too late.
Masking indoors must again become a normal practice by all, regardless of vaccination
status, so that we can stop the trends and level of transmission we are currently seeing.
We continue to urge all eligible residents to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves
and their family and friends. Becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19 remains the best
protective action that people can take if they are eligible for it. Although not at 100%,
it significantly reduces the risk of infection and, for the small number of people that
get infected, it reduces the risk of hospitalization and death once you are fully vaccinated
against COVID-19."
Businesses can continue to operate normally but employees and customers will be
required to wear a mask indoors.
