The risk for COVID-19 exposure and infection in our communities will continue in California, and there will continue to be times and places that masks will help protect us from serious outcomes and significant community impact, especially in populations heavily impacted by COVID-19. Continued use of masks helps prevent COVID-19 transmission among people with higher risk of serious disease from infection (those who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised), those with prolonged, cumulative exposures, and individuals whose vaccination status is unknown.

California has updated its Masking Guidance, to ensure that we continue to collectively protect the health and well-being of all Californians; keep schools open for in-person instruction; and allow California's economy to remain open and thrive.

In workplaces, employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard (PDF) and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.

Questions & Answers

Why are we issuing updated mask guidance now?

Since the peak in case rates during the Omicron surge in early January 2022, the dramatic surge in cases and hospitalizations due to the highly infectious Omicron variant over the last two months has declined significantly. Californians are also increasingly knowledgeable about how to protect themselves and their loved ones with effective masks and other protective measures when there may be risk of COVID-19 exposure. Accordingly, effective March 1, 2022, the requirement for unvaccinated persons to mask in indoor public settings and businesses is replaced by a strong recommendation that all persons, regardless of vaccination status, continue to mask while in indoor public settings and businesses.

Why do we strongly recommend masking?

Masks remain a critical component for protecting those that are most vulnerable in our communities, including the unvaccinated, the immunocompromised, or those at risk for severe disease and illness when ongoing risk of exposure remains.

Are there still places people still have to wear masks?

Masks are required for all individuals in the following indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. Respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) or surgical masks with good fit are highly recommended.

• Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare (through the end of March 11, 2022)
• On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)Emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers
• Healthcare settings (applies to all healthcare settings, including those that are not covered by the State Health Officer Order issued on July 26, 2021)
• State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
• Homeless shelters
• Long Term Care Settings & Adult and Senior Care Facilities

Additionally, masks are strongly recommended for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public). Persons are encouraged to also consider:

• Data on COVID-19 transmission in your community, including COVID-19 case rates, test positivity, and hospitalization data in their community;
• If they are immunocompromised or at risk of severe illness or disease, or live with others who are immunocompromised or at risk of severe illness of disease;
• How well ventilated is the setting, including ventilation with outdoor air, and fresh air ventilation to the spaces with the highest density of occupants, as well as where occupants may be unmasked.

Respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) or surgical masks with good fit are highly recommended.

If many people are vaccinated, why do we sometimes still need to wear face coverings?

While the percentage of Californians fully vaccinated and boosted continues to increase, we continue to have areas of the state where vaccine coverage is low, putting individuals and communities at greater risk for COVID-19. We also continue to learn more about waning immunity and need to be prepared for future variants. Thus, masks are required for everyone in the high-risk settings listed above. Masks are strongly recommended for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in indoor public settings and businesses.

Are children required to wear masks indoors in K-12 schools and childcare settings?

After March 11, the universal masking requirement for K-12 and Childcare settings will move to a strong recommendation that individuals in these settings continue to mask in these indoor settings. See K-12 Guidance for additional information. Additional guidance, including additional requirements, may be issued by local public health officials, local educational agencies, and/or other authorities.

For additional information on types of masks for children, the most effective masks, and ensuring a well-fitted mask, individuals should refer to CDPH Masks for Kids: Tips and Resources.

When must unvaccinated people wear masks?

Everyone must still wear masks in the high-risk settings listed above. Masks are strongly recommended for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in indoor public settings and businesses (for example: live performances, indoor malls, movie theaters, places of worship, indoor mega events, and indoor museums). Respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) or surgical masks with good fit are highly recommended.

For additional information on types of masks, the most effective masks, and ensuring a well-fitted mask, individuals should refer to CDPH Get the Most out of Masking.

Does this guidance apply to persons who are incompletely vaccinated (persons who have only received one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine)?

Yes, all persons regardless of vaccination status are required to wear masks in the high-risk settings listed above. Additionally, masks are strongly recommended for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in indoor public settings and businesses.

Are masks required in workplaces?

Starting March 1, masks are no longer required in indoor public settings, including workplaces, but are strongly recommended for all individuals in indoor public settings. In workplaces, employers are subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) (PDF) Standard and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.

Do "indoor public settings" include local board and commission meetings?

Yes, board and commission meetings are indoor public settings.

Does this guidance apply to colleges and universities?

All students, staff and faculty, regardless of vaccine status, are strongly recommended to wear a mask in all indoor public settings.

Do visitors in healthcare settings, correctional facilities and detention centers also need to wear a mask?

Yes, all persons (regardless of vaccination status) must wear a mask when visiting a healthcare facility, a long-term care facility (like a skilled-nursing facility), a correctional facility or a detention center. See State Public Health Officer Order issued July 26, 2021 for a full list of high-risk congregate and other healthcare settings where surgical masks are required for unvaccinated workers, and recommendations for respirator use for unvaccinated workers in healthcare and long-term care facilities in situations or settings not covered by Cal/OSHA ETS or ATD.

Do "health care settings" where universal masking is required of all individuals include outpatient facilities and assisted living facilities?

Yes, health care settings refers to places where healthcare is delivered and includes, but is not limited to, acute care facilities, long-term acute-care facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, home healthcare, vehicles where healthcare is delivered (e.g., mobile clinics), and outpatient facilities, such as dialysis centers, physician offices, dental offices, and others.

Are face coverings required in non-patient care areas (e.g., meeting or break rooms) in Health Care Settings?

Masks are required in health care settings, including in non-patient care areas. However, per the exception listed below, persons who are working alone in a closed office or room are exempt from the masking requirement.

Does anyone need to continue to wear masks outdoors?

People do not need to wear masks when outdoors.

What if masks cannot be worn due to heavy exertion while playing indoor sports, exercising, or conditioning, or while performing at indoor live or recorded settings or events such as music, acting, or singing?

Indoor mask use remains an effective layer in protecting against COVID-19 infection and transmission, including during sports, music, and related activities, especially activities with increased exertion and/or voice projection, or prolonged close face-face contact. Accordingly, when actively practicing, conditioning, performing, or competing indoors, masks are strongly recommended by participants even during heavy exertion, as practicable. Individuals using instruments indoors that cannot be played with a mask (e.g., wind instruments) are strongly recommended to use bell coverings and maintain a minimum of 3 feet of physical distancing between participants. If masks are not worn (or bell covers are not used) due to heavy exertion, it is strongly recommended that individuals undergo screening testing at least once weekly, unless they had COVID-19 in the past 90 days. An FDA-authorized antigen test, PCR test, or pooled PCR test is acceptable for evaluation of an individual's COVID-19 status.

In situations where surgical masks are required for source control, can higher-level respirators (e.g., KN95s, KF94s, or N95s) be voluntarily used instead of surgical masks?

Yes, in situations where surgical masks are required for source control, voluntary use of a higher-level respirator (e.g., KN95s, KF94s, or N95s) is also acceptable. This does not supersede any requirements for use of a respirator under Cal/OSHA ETS or ATD.

Who is exempt from wearing a mask?

The following individuals are exempt from wearing masks at all times:

• Persons younger than two years old. Very young children must not wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation.
• Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance.
• Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
• Persons for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.

Additionally, exceptions to the masking requirements in specified high-risk settings apply in the following circumstances:

• Masks may be removed while actively eating or drinking.
• Persons who are working alone in a closed office or room.
• Persons who are obtaining a medical or cosmetic service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the services.
• Workers who wear respiratory protection, per Cal/OSHA requirements.
• Persons who are specifically exempted from wearing masks by other CDPH guidance.

What should I do if my mask feels wet or gets saturated with sweat?

Any face mask that feels wet or becomes saturated with sweat should be changed immediately.

How can businesses support patrons and help protect their communities?

CDPH is maintaining the requirement that businesses and venue operators must allow any individual to wear a mask if they desire to. No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.

In addition, in settings where masks are strongly recommended, businesses, venue operators or hosts should also consider:

• Providing information to all patrons, guests and attendees regarding masking recommendations for all persons, regardless of vaccine status.
• Providing information to all patrons, guests and attendees to consider better fit and filtration for masks [Respirators (e.g., N95s, KN95s, KF94s) or surgical masks with good fit are recommended over cloth masks].
• Requiring all patrons to wear masks, when risk in the community may be high, or if those being served are at high-risk for severe disease or illness.
• Requiring attendees who do not provide proof of vaccination to enter indoor Mega Events to continue masking during the event, especially when not actively eating or drinking.

How would a business provide information to their customers about mask recommendations?

A business may post a sign or placard at the entrance to their business notifying customers of their mask requirements. Additionally, businesses may post such information on their website or at point of ticket sale prior to entry or notify their members of masking requirements.

Can I be prevented from wearing a mask?

No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.

If I test positive for COVID-19, when should I wear a mask?

It is strongly recommended that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, previous infection or lack of symptoms stay home for at least five days, and wear a well-fitting mask when around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings when testing positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation. See CDPH Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for additional information.

If I was exposed to COVID-19, when should I wear a mask?

It is strongly recommended that everyone, regardless of vaccination status or whether in quarantine or not, wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days, especially in indoor settings, after exposure to someone with COVID-19. See CDPH Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for additional information.

​Originally Published on June 14, 2021