Pandemic-era mask mandates are returning in some health care facilities in California.
As cold and flu season gets underway, four Golden State counties have enforced mandatory mask wearing in health care facility settings for workers and in some cases for visitors. Wearing masks can help slow the spread of illnesses, such as COVID-19, the flu and other viral infections, and was widely required across the U.S. throughout the coronavirus pandemic in health care settings and beyond.
“Generally, masks can help act as a filter to reduce the number of germs you breathe in or out,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says. “Their effectiveness can vary against different viruses, for example, based on the size of the virus. When worn by a person who has a virus, masks can reduce the chances they spread it to others.”
Currently, coronavirus cases are neither increasing nor decreasing in California, according to the CDC. Overall, COVID-19 cases are declining across the country.
Mask mandates do not apply to any settings other than health care, such as hospitals, doctors, nursing facilities and others.
Mask Mandates in Place:
Alameda County
Staff working in acute care hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, dialysis centers and infusion centers across Alameda County are required to wear a face mask at work between November 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
“COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities. COVID-19 poses the greatest risk for severe disease to those over 65 years of age and persons with certain health issues, including pregnancy. But, anyone who gets COVID-19 can develop long COVID,” a notice says. “When people wear a mask correctly, they protect others as well as themselves.”
While visitors are not subject to the same rules, Alameda County Public Health Department strongly recommends it.
Napa County
Earlier this month, Napa County Health and Human Services Agency wrote a letter to the county’s hospitals, inpatient psychiatric, skilled nursing facilities, and dialysis and infusion centers regarding a mask mandate being enforced for health care workers.
It does not detail when the requirement went into effect or how long it will last. Newsweek has contacted Napa County Health and Human Services Agency for clarification via email outside of regular working hours.
Santa Clara County
Health care facilities in Santa Clara County, which includes San Jose and Morgan Hill, have had a continuous mask mandate in place since April 2023.
According to a declaration on April 4, 2023, the mandate applies to “any setting or portion of a setting where any indoor medical, nursing, dental, vision or behavioral healthcare and/or service is provided,” and applies to health care workers, patients and visitors.
The order is “ongoing and shall continue to be in effect until it is rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Officer.”
San Mateo County
Effective starting November 1, health care facilities in San Mateo County are subject to a mask mandate applicable to health care personnel and visitors.
“The order applies to all facility personnel, workers and visitors, including patients’ family members,” a notice says. “The order does not apply to patients or to individuals with medical or mental health conditions or disability that prevents wearing a mask.” The order will remain in place until March 31, 2025.
Masks recommended:
Contra Costa County
There is no legal requirement to wear a mask in health care settings in Contra Costa County, but the health department has said “workers and visitors to healthcare facilities, including skilled nursing and congregate care facilities, are strongly encouraged to mask now in those settings.”
“Face masks are an effective tool to reduce the spread of the virus, particularly for those who are at risk for serious illness when there is evidence of elevated COVID-19 activity in the community,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, Contra Costa County’s health officer. “This is one of those times. Our health system is not seriously impacted by COVID currently, and our goal is to keep it that way.”
