Los Angeles County eases COVID-19 indoor mask mandate
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles County will begin allowing people to remove their masks while indoors if they are vaccinated as the omicron winter surge continues to ease.
California’s largest county says it will relax its public health order on Friday to allow unmasking at restaurants, bars, and other businesses for people who show proof of vaccination.
Unvaccinated customers must continue to wear masks indoors.
“As the county continues to experience reduced Covid-19 spread, it is appropriate to consider fewer required safety measures,” county officials said in a statement, adding that “vulnerable individuals should continue to layer in all protections possible.”
The move comes as the county's COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations plummet.
The county lagged behind the state as a whole, which lifted its indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people last week.
Most of California’s 58 counties quickly followed suit.
However, Santa Clara County requires universal indoor masking.
