Kings County COVID-19 mask requirement expires for fully vaccinated

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Kings County COVID-19 mask requirement expires for fully vaccinated

The temporary universal indoor masking requirement implemented by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) expires for fully vaccinated individuals through February 15, 2022. Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses.

It is recommended that fully vaccinated individuals continue masking indoors when the risk of contracting COVID-19 might be high.

According to CDPH, “A series of cross-sectional surveys in the U.S. suggested that a 10% increase in self-reported mask-wearing tripled the likelihood of slowing community transmission.” Additionally, masking requirements in California schools have limited COVID-19 related school closures to 1% of the total nationally, despite California students accounting for 12% of all U.S. students.

Effective February 16, 2022, masks are only required for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in the following settings:

  • On public transit (airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-share) and in transportation hubs (airports, bus terminals, marinas, train stations, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
  • Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare
  • Emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers
  • Healthcare settings
  • State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
  • Homeless shelters
  • Long Term Care Setting & Adult and Senior Care Facilities

The Kings County Department of Public Health continues to urge the public to take all COVID-19 prevention measures appropriate for them: 

  • Get vaccinated; to schedule an appointment, visit: https://myturn.ca.gov/
  • Wear a face covering, regardless of your vaccine status, to protect yourself and those who cannot get vaccinated at this time
  • Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms
  • Stay home if you are sick

Visit www.kcdph.com/COVID19 for current information and guidance.

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