And so it begins again.
The Bay Area’s new mask mandate, issued Monday, returns us to an era we hoped we were leaving behind with the lifting of an earlier set of orders two months ago. But these new rules work a little differently, and not all of our old restrictions are coming back — at least not yet.
Because it can be hard to keep up with the changes, here’s a detailed look at what you need to know about the latest Bay Area public health order, which takes effect Tuesday in San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin and Sonoma counties.
Q: If I’m vaccinated, do I need to wear a mask?
A: Yes, you do. The new health orders require everyone in the Bay Area — regardless of vaccination status — to wear face coverings when they’re indoors and away from home.
Q: When and where exactly do I need to wear a mask?
A: Whenever you step into a business or a workplace where others will be present, mask up! Masks should be worn in establishments such as grocery stores, retail shops, gyms and movie theaters. Same with workplaces, although it’s OK to take the mask off if you work inside a private office with the door closed.
Q: Can I still go out to eat at an indoor restaurant or drink inside a bar?
A: Restaurants and bars can remain open for indoor dining, but the health orders state that “all persons are strongly discouraged from engaging in any activities that require removal of face coverings indoors (e.g., indoor dining), and instead encouraged to choose safer alternatives (e.g., outdoor dining).”
While inside a bar or restaurant, customers must wear a face covering anytime they are not eating or drinking, according to the orders.
Q. But I don’t have to wear a mask outside, right?
Masks are not required outdoors or when you are alone or with only members of your own household. However, the orders strongly recommend that people use face covering if they’re in crowded outdoor settings such as at a concert.
Q: What prompted this latest mask requirement when things seemed to be returning to normal?
A: The delta variant has caused a sharp rise in hospitalizations and case rates across the region. All counties under the new orders are seeing substantial or high community transmission, according to officials.
While trying to get more residents vaccinated, Bay Area health officials say wearing masks inside public spaces is the “least disruptive and most immediately impactful” measure that can be taken to limit infections.
Q: If vaccines are effective and I’ve been inoculated, why do I still need to wear a mask?
A: Although vaccinated people are far less likely to get COVID than those who haven’t received shots, they still can spread the virus easily if infected with the delta variant, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Delta is far more contagious than other known versions of COVID, putting those who have opted not to get a vaccine or who couldn’t do so because of health reasons or age restraints in increased jeopardy of severe illness.
Requiring both vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals to wear a mask will help limit the spread of the virus and hopefully prevent hospitals and ICUs from overflowing with patients, as happened during the height of the pandemic. But masks aren’t enough, officials say.
“Vaccination is still the best tool at ending the pandemic and when combined with masks, it provides a better safeguard against the virus spread,” said Marin County Deputy Public Health Officer Lisa Santora.
Q: How long will the orders last?
A: The orders will remain in effect until further notice. Health officials said the decision to lift them will hinge on a decline in the number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in hospitals and intensive care units, though they did not provide a specific threshold at this time.
“We want to make sure we maintain our hospital capacity, not only for taking care of COVID patients but for all those other things, so we will just be watching this data as we have all along on a daily basis,” Contra Costa County Health Officer Chris Farnitano said.
Q: What are the mask rules when I leave the area?
A: In California, only Los Angeles County has a mask requirement like the Bay Area’s. The state of California is recommending indoor masks for everyone, whether vaccinated or not, but isn’t requiring them. The federal CDC recommends but doesn’t require masking indoors in “high-transmission” areas. However, masks continue to be the law for everyone on public transportation, and in health care facilities, schools, shelters and correctional institutions.
Q: Will business capacity limits and school closures follow?
A: That’s not a part of the plan — at least not at this time. The health officials said their goal in imposing a region-wide mask mandate was to limit the virus’ spread while also allowing students to return to classrooms in the coming weeks and ensure businesses could remain open.
