Relaxing the Mask Mandate – What to Know Now in Culver City

Los Angeles County relaxed its mask requirement mandate, allowing people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 to remove face coverings indoors at establishments that verify patrons’ vaccination status. The change took effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, February 25, 2022.

Hours later, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced amended guidelines that dropped its recommendation for indoor mask-wearing in much of the country  – but not in Los Angeles County.

As has often happened, pandemic rules are contradictory and confusing. What do you need to know to stay within the accepted standards in Culver City? First, there is no anti-masking mandate, and you are free to wear a mask whenever and wherever you think best. If you are someone with health issues, stay within your comfort zone. 

If you prefer to go unmasked, it’s easier than it used to be. Keeping your vaccination card handy (it’s a good idea to keep a photo of it, front and back, on your phone) so that you can offer proof whenever the venue requests it. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has not yet altered its indoor mask mandate for the unvaccinated, so unless you can show proof of vaccine status, keep the mask on, please. 

Public transit continues to hold high standards for public health, and Culver CityBus, and the Metro still require wearing masks while on buses or trains, under a federal mandate that applies to all transit systems.

Masks continue to be required indoors at airports, transit centers, aboard public transit, in health-care facilities and at homeless shelters, long-term care centers and emergency shelters, as per national health requirements. 

Nationally, deaths are down 23% and new diagnoses are down 59% . Los Angeles County reported a total of 2,833 new COVID cases, and another 67 deaths on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022. Officials have said some patients enter the hospital for other symptoms, only finding out if they have COVID after a mandated test.

While Culver City has a very high percentage of vaccinated residents, we also have more than twice that many people coming into the city to work or socialize; we don’t have status or numbers for all of them. What is most important is to respect the health needs of the people around you, and follow the requirements for whatever situation you are in. If the store asks that you wear a mask, wear one, if the restaurant says we need to see your vax card, show your status. 

Wearing a mask is always okay; not wearing one depends on where you are and what standards they are required to support. It’s always okay to ask before you unmask. 

Judith Martin-Straw

 

The Actors' Gang

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