By Sri Ravipati
(SAN FRANCISCO) A new mask mandate for vaccinated and non-vaccinated San Francisco residents is in effect Tuesday to help curb transmission from the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
The order, which was issued Monday, also affects residents living in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma counties and the city of Berkeley. It affects more than 7 million people in the region, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
The reason for the new mask mandate is the rising number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. In the last week, the Bay Area saw a 32% jump in new cases of the highly contagious Delta variant.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday revealed that the Delta variant spreads as easily among the vaccinated as unvaccinated.
“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’s acting health officer, per the Chronicle.
Masks must once again be worn inside businesses, restaurants and other indoor public settings.
Health officials also recommend that all employers make face coverings available again and implement the indoor face-covering order.
In other parts of California, mask mandates are already in effect in Los Angeles, Yolo and Sacramento counties.