Fully vaccinated or not, San Diego county residents are required to wear a mask while indoors in all public spaces following a new statewide mandate.
According to the San Diego County News Center, the mandate went into effect on Dec. 15.
This comes in response to the increase in cases and hospitalizations in the state and the detection of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant. The mandate is effective at least through Jan. 15, 2022 and will be reevaluated at that time.
County Public Health Officer Wilma J. Wooten stated that masks help slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in the release. “San Diegans should wear masks while indoors in public places to protect themselves and others,” she told the County News Center.
Updated procedures in the mandate include COVID-19 testing prior to attending mega events, with a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test required 48 hours before an event or an antigen test 24 hours before the event. Travelers to the state are asked to get a COVID-19 test three to five days after arrival.
Health officials also recommend the following measures to protect people against all variants of COVID-19.
- Get vaccinated and get a booster if qualified.
- Get tested if you have traveled, have any symptoms.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Stay at home if sick.
- Safe social distancing.
More information about COVID- 19, variants, testing and vaccinations can be found at coronavirus-sd.com.