L.A. County easing mask-wearing rules as COVID-19 spread slows
COVID-19 masking rules will be eased in Los Angeles County, with health officials announcing they will lift the requirement for face coverings in correctional facilities and homeless shelters, while indoor mask-wearing in general will become a matter of individual preference.
The new state rules will take effect Friday, lifting the mask-wearing requirement at correctional facilities, homeless and emergency shelters and in cooling centers. The eased rules will affect counties where COVID activity is rated as "low" -- which covers most of the state, including Los Angeles County.
With the county nearing that threshold, and given the state's shifting guidance, the county announced Wednesday it will change its directive on Friday, meaning it "will shift from strongly recommending indoor masking for the general public to individual preference, unless required by the site." County officials have said about 43% of patients with COVID were actually hospitalized due to virus-related illness, while the rest were admitted for other reasons, with some only learning they were infected when they were tested upon admission.