California exempts San Francisco from statewide indoor mask-wearing mandate: Coronavirus Update: NPR
Haven Daley / AP
The state of California says the city of San Francisco is exempt from the state’s newly reinstated mask-wearing mandate – requiring everyone to wear a mask indoors.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health said Tuesday the city will continue to allow fully vaccinated people to drop their masks in gyms and workplaces, even as the state’s reinstatement of duties continues. The state requires masks to be worn indoors, regardless of vaccination status. The statewide mandate goes into effect Wednesday.
“This improvement recognizes the hard work of San Francisco residents throughout the pandemic, including the ways in which we have maintained reasonable protective measures as we head into the holiday season,” the Department of Health said. San Francisco Public Health said in a tweet.
Follow room, about 86% of eligible San Francisco residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with more than 753,000 residents vaccinated.
So far, California has managed 62 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“It’s a recognition of all the thought and care that the people of San Francisco have been taking to stay as safe as possible,” said Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco’s public health officer. Related press.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced The news of the mask-wearing duty indoors resumed on Monday as coronavirus cases in the state jumped 47% over the past two weeks.
State officials had previously lifted the requirement to wear masks on June 15 for vaccinated residents.
“We know people are tired and longing for normalcy. Honestly, so am I,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly told the AP. “That said, this is a pivotal moment where we have a tool that we know works and can work.”
The statewide indoor masking mandate is expected to last until at least January 15, 2022.