The recommendation falls short of a masking mandate, but masks are still required indoors at healthcare and congregate-care facilities, for anyone exposed to the virus in the past 10 days, and at locations where they are required by the operator.
The move signals a symbolic end for some of the most restrictive elements of the pandemic, as it will dissolve the governor’s authority to alter or change laws to make it easier for the government to quickly respond to the public health crisis.
The city did away with one of its last remaining mask mandates today, replacing it with a series of recommendations based on state and CDC guidelines.
It is not clear whether Long Beach, which has its own health department, will follow suit. The city still requires masks to be worn in transportation hubs as of the most recent update to its health order in April.
A judge told Dana Tanner she “technically” violated the law, “But I understand why you violated the law because you had to feed your family and pay your bills.”
Most colleges across the state lifted mask requirements before the fall semester, but CSULB kept its mandate in place until Monday. Now masks are only “strongly recommended.”
The city first began offering the Novavax vaccine earlier this month to people 18 and older.
Novavax, which was authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control earlier this month, is the fourth vaccine available for use in the United States.
The cities of Long Beach and Pasadena—both of which operate their own health departments separate from the county—announced Tuesday they would not issue mask mandates, even if the county did.
The county mandate, which was expected to go into effect Friday, could also be postponed, health officials said.
