As the pandemic has progressed in California, holiday travel and gatherings have fueled surges while the state has changed systems to attempt to control the rapid spread of the virus. Circles represent major holidays.
The California Department of Public Health recently announced updates to several state public health orders related to vaccination, masking, isolation and quarantine.
CDPH stressed that getting vaccinated and wearing masks are still the best ways to protect yourself. Here are some of the incoming changes to existing COVID-19 guidance:
Masking in high-risk and health care settings: Starting April 3, masks will no longer be required in indoor high-risk and health care settings.
Vaccine requirements for health care workers: Starting April 3, the state will no longer quire vaccination for health care workers, including those in adult care, direct care, correctional facilities and detention centers.
Reduced isolation time after positive COVID-19 test: Starting March 13, a COVID-19-positive person may end isolation after five days if they are feeling well, have improving symptoms and are fever-free for 24 hours.
In recent weeks, California has begun to wind down some underutilized emergency COVID-19 support across California. This includes state-funded testing and test-to-treat sites, vaccine staff, outbreak response teams, mobile vaccine units and pop-up vaccination events.
Oregon and Washington have recently made similar announcements related to masking.