Universal indoor masking is back in public settings across the Bay Area, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
Health officers representing several Bay Area counties and the City of Berkeley made the joint announcement on Monday, citing a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations amid the spread of the contagious delta variant of the coronavirus.
Counties included in the mandate are Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Contra Costa, Marin, Sonoma and San Francisco. Napa and Solano counties are not part of the joint order, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.
Many of the same counties announced similar recommendations for indoor face coverings last month, just days before the state’s Department of Public Health did the same for all Californians.
"Indoor masking is a temporary measure that will help us deal with the delta variant, which is causing a sharp increase in cases, and we know increases in hospitalizations and deaths will follow," said Dr. Naveena Bobba, San Francisco acting health officer.
The order – not unexpected based on previous comments from San Francisco’s health director – does not include outdoor settings. Health officials also recommend that all employers make face coverings available to individuals entering their businesses, and businesses are required to implement the indoor face covering order.
"The goal is to avoid disrupting businesses and residents’ everyday activities," said Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County’s health officer.
The order is not a ban on indoor dining, officials added. The various Bay Area health officers do, however, recommend wearing a face mask while dining indoors if you’re not "actively eating."
The city is averaging 176 new cases per day, representing "a ten-fold increase since the beginning of June," according to health officials.
The Bay Area jurisdictions join Yolo, Sacramento and Los Angeles counties in mandating indoor face coverings.
Monday’s announcement comes as many Bay Area companies halt plans for immediate return to in-person work settings and mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for employees.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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