California reimposes indoor mask mandate as Omicron variant spreads

• The state imposes a mask mandate beginning from Wednesday to January 15

• Case rates in California have increased by 47 percent since Thanksgiving

California will once again compel citizens to wear masks in all indoor public places across the state, citing concerns about the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus strain. 

According to Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, masks will be mandatory in all public indoor locations for one month beginning Wednesday and ending January 15.

The state modified the conditions for attending large-scale events such as concerts and athletic events. Attendees will now be required to show confirmation of vaccination, a negative antigen COVID-19 test within one day of the event, or a negative PCR test within two days of the event.

Read more: Pfizer and BioNTech lab study claim booster shot can neutralize Omicron strain

In addition, the administration also issued a new travel advisory, effective immediately, recommending that all travelers arriving in the state for the COVID-19 test within three to five days of arrival.

Dr. Ghaly said statewide case rates have increased by 47 percent since Thanksgiving. He stated that while case rates in Los Angeles and the Bay Area remain relatively low, other areas, particularly those with low vaccination rates, are experiencing larger increases and strained hospital capacity.

Read more: WHO member nations vote to start drafting plan to deal with future pandemics

“We know people are tired and hungry for normalcy. Frankly, I am too,” Dr. Ghaly said at Monday briefing. “As we head into the holidays, where people are mixing with others they’re not normally around in public places, wearing a mask is going to be one of the most important things to help us get through this period of uncertainty.”

California has one of the nation's longest-running statewide mask laws, which began in June 2020 and was withdrawn a year later for vaccinated persons in most indoor situations, WSJ stated. 

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Moreover, New York State began mandating people to wear masks inside in public on Monday, a measure that will remain in force at least until January 15. 

Picture Credits: NPR