(SAN JOSE, Calif.) On Monday, California officials announced the state will not implement the recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask guideline for those fully vaccinated until the reopening of the state.
Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state health and human services secretary, said the state will enforce the new CDC recommendation, which will no longer require fully vaccinated people to wear a mask indoors and outdoors in most locations, beginning June 15, San Jose Inside reported.
“This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue the relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly to underserved communities and those that were hard hit throughout the pandemic,” Ghaly said.
The state is expected to fully reopen June 15 and forego a tiered reopening system, allowing businesses to open at full indoor capacities.
According to the updated CDC guidance, those who are at least two weeks past their last vaccination date can safely resume activities without wearing a mask or practicing social distancing.
California’s mask mandate requires residents to wear a face-covering indoors or on public transit, regardless of being fully vaccinated.
Outdoors, residents are not required to wear masks as long as they practice social distancing, regardless of vaccination status.
After June 15, Ghaly noted that California may bring back a mask mandate if COVID-19 cases spike.
Businesses and local jurisdictions can decide if they require face masks indoors or in certain areas.
Nearly 15.6 million state residents, which is 49% of the state’s population, are fully vaccinated, according to state vaccination data.