L.A. County: Masking Requirements Remain Until June 15

People wearing masks at a local grocery store (Photo – ColoradoBlvd.net)

While the County’s metrics continue to remain low and stable, there continues to be COVID-19 transmission in California, particularly among those who are not fully vaccinated.

By News Desk

For that reason, the State will be keeping its current masking guidance until June 15, and L.A. County will do the same and remain in alignment with the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order of May 3.

Last week’s CDC announcement

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announcement last week was not meant to eliminate current safety modifications at local and state levels, and the CDC acknowledged the importance of maintaining local protections.

Masks are still required for everyone at:

• Large events, public transportation, retail, and business establishments
• Workplaces (under Cal/OSHA masking/distancing requirements)

Masks are still required for all unvaccinated people:

• Outdoors anytime distancing cannot be maintained

Masks are still not required for fully vaccinated people:

• Outdoors unless attending crowded events
• Indoor and outdoor visits with other fully vaccinated people and with unvaccinated people from one household without high risk people

New deaths and cases

On Monday, May 17, 2021, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 4 new deaths and 161 new cases of COVID-19. Of the four new deaths reported today, two people that passed away were over the age of 80, and two people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79.

To date, L.A. County’s Health Department identified 1,237,561 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 24,097 deaths. There are 322 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized. Testing results are available for nearly 6,650,000 individuals with 17% of people testing positive. Today’s daily test positivity rate is 0.4%.

Vaccines

As of May 14, more than 9,013,851 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered to people across Los Angeles County. Of these, 5,326,360 were first doses and 3,687,491 were second doses.   As of May 14, 58% of L.A. County residents 12 and older have received first doses and 44% have received two doses of the vaccine.

L.A > County Health Department reports a great turnout among teens 12 to 15-years-old late last week and over the weekend. As of late Friday, more than 15,700 12 to 15-year-old had been vaccinated – that’s in just two days of this group’s vaccination eligibility:

• 16 and 17-year-olds have continued to get vaccinated at a good pace: 95,356 teens in this age group, 38% of all 16 and 17-year-olds countywide, have gotten at least one vaccination.

As the warmer months arrive, L.A. County  plans to expand efforts to vaccinate teens in the parks, day camps, and other places where they spend their summers. Public Health is  focusing efforts on the 43 school districts located in the hardest hit communities in the county. The County will also be working with LA City Parks and Rec, Boys and Girls Club Alliance and YMCA to create partnerships aimed at educating families on vaccines and providing vaccine opportunities in cooperation with summer programs.

To find a vaccination site near you, to make an appointment at vaccination sites, and much more, visit: VaccinateLACounty.com (English) and VacunateLosAngeles.com (Spanish). If you don’t have internet access, can’t use a computer, or you’re over 65, you can call 1-833-540-0473 for help finding an appointment or scheduling a home-visit if you are homebound. Vaccinations are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status.