Los Angeles County mask mandate likely to return in coming weeks

Later this month, Los Angeles County, home to 10 million residents, will impose another mask mandate if current trends in hospital admissions continue, LA County Health Director Barbara Ferrer said this week. According to a press release, LA County remains at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designated COVID-19 Community Level of Medium. The county is likely to move into ‘High’ later this week as the rate of daily new admissions continues to increase.

Using LA county-specific data, as of Monday, the county was at 8.8 new admissions per 100,000 people. Once the county reaches 10 new admissions per 100,000 residents, the county will enter the High Community Level. Should the county remain in the High Community Level designation for two consecutive weeks, universal indoor masking would be implemented across LA county.

The Los Angeles mandate would be nothing new. It has been one of the strictest counties in the country regarding COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. Masks are still required today if you’re in a healthcare facility, in a taxi, or at the airport.

A federal judge voided mask mandates in airports and other areas of public transportation. In LA, passengers must wear masks in the airport but can take them off once on the plane. If the mandate goes into effect, any indoor place–restaurant, gym, grocery store–will require patrons to wear masks.

“It is looking more likely, as cases and admissions have continued to increase, we will enter the high-level community designation next week,” LA County Health Director Barbara Ferrer said last week. “Should we remain in the high community level designation, indoor masking, aligned with CDC guidelines, would be implemented in LA County.”

COVID-19 case counts are up right now nationwide. 65% of new cases stem from a new variant. It is much less deadly than the first strains of COVID-19 but still highly contagious.

Compared to other parts of the country, California has the highest weekly case count per 100,000 people. California also has a higher rate of infection compared to states that have long been lockdown-free like Florida. California and Texas have the same rate of infection.