PRESS RELEASE

Today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released a new health order that strongly recommends, but does not require, masking in most circumstances. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) will align with the State’s order, as outlined below. 

Universal masking will continue to be required in healthcare facilities, jails and prisons, emergency shelters, cooling centers, homeless shelters and on public transit. But starting tomorrow, March 1, masks will shift from being mandated for unvaccinated people to being strongly recommended for everyone regardless of vaccination status.

The other main change to the CDPH health order concerns schools and childcare facilities; starting March 12, masking will no longer be required but it is strongly recommended that people wear masks while on school property or performing school activities.  

The Long Beach Health Department will release its updated Health Order later today. It will align with the State’s order, except for bars and nightclubs, where the City will continue to require vaccine verification. The City also will continue to recommend vaccine verification at restaurants, as has been the case in previous Health Orders.

Businesses that are not required to implement universal masking may choose to continue masking requirements for customers and employees. In workplaces, employers are still subject to the CalOSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) or in some workplaces the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements with their employees. 

The Long Beach Health Department strongly recommends that people continue to mask indoors and follow other common-sense COVID-19 safety strategies, such as staying home when sick; frequent hand-washing; testing for COVID-19 when in contact with someone who has the virus or when experiencing any COVID-like symptoms; and becoming vaccinated and boosted when eligible.