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.