California will soon no longer require indoor events with 1,000 or more attendees to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or a recent negative test, in order to enter.
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Beginning April 1, the California Department of Public Health will "strongly recommend, rather than require, that indoor "mega-events" verify guests are fully vaccinated or have tested negative for the coronavirus within two days of entry. State officials announced the change on Friday, citing declining cases and hospitalizations.
California started to require proof of vaccination or a negative test for adult attendees of large indoor events beginning last December, due to the highly contagious omicron variant's spread. On Dec. 31, California lowered the threshold to 500 attendees, raising it again on Feb. 16.
As was the case when the state lifted masking requirements in public indoor spaces and schools, local public health departments can enact stricter rules than California. Santa Clara County, the first in the Bay Area to ban mass gatherings more than two years ago, dropped its public mask mandate two weeks after the rest of the region.
It was unclear as of press time how many Bay Area counties and cities planned to follow the state's lead, as only a few regularly host such large indoor events.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health, told KCBS Radio that it would align with the state on April 1. The Golden State Warriors' home game against the Utah Jazz a day later would be the first event at Chase Center to no longer require proof of vaccination.
The department acknowledged that the COVID-19 is still around but we are in a better position to live with the virus. Data and science will continue to be monitored and will be used to make public health decisions moving forward.
San Francisco is starting to implement less restrictive COVID-19 regulations that keep communities safe. The department is encouraging residents to take advantage of the COVID-19 resources, including vaccinations, testing, and masks, especially in highly impacted communities.
Alameda and Santa Clara counties – home to two of the region's largest indoor venues in Oakland Arena and SAP Center, respectively – didn't respond to KCBS Radio's emailed request for comment on Friday night.
A San Mateo County spokesperson told KCBS Radio in an email on Friday night that the county will align with the state guidance. Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties didn't respond to KCBS Radio's emailed request for comment prior to publication, and neither did the City of Berkeley.
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