Pasadena Will Allow Vaccinated People to Remove Masks in Many Indoor Settings as of Saturday

Pasadena has issued an updated health order effective Saturday which will give fully vaccinated people the option to either wear or remove masks in many indoor settings in alignment with State Health Officer’s recent order.

The city said in a statement Thursday that the revised order differs slightly from the County approach because it is less restrictive in allowing for additional options for vaccine verification, including self-attestation, in most businesses and public areas.

Currently, the State Health Officer Order requires anyone who is not fully vaccinated to mask in all indoor public settings and businesses (including, but not limited to retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, workplaces, and state and local government offices serving the public). 

No person can be prevented from wearing a mask as a condition of participation in an activity or entry into a business.

On Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is expected to issue revised guidelines on a variety of COVID-prevention fronts, including an anticipated loosening of masking rules.

The State’s Health Order and federal regulations continue to require masks, regardless of vaccination status, in the following indoor settings:

• On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station or any other area that provides transportation)
• Indoors in K-12 schools and at childcare centers
• Emergency shelters and cooling and heating centers
• Healthcare settings
• State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
• Homeless shelters
• Long term care settings and adult and senior care facilities

The Pasadena Public Health Department strongly recommends that businesses, worksites, venue operators or hosts follow CDPH guidance that provides options for reducing COVID-19 transmission risk including:

•  Require all patrons to wear masks; OR
•  Implement vaccine verification to determine whether people are required to wear a mask; OR
•  Provide information to all patrons, guests and attendees regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated people to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.

Until COVID-19 cases reach the Moderate level of the CDC framework, which is expected by the end of March, businesses/operators are encouraged to take measures to protect employees and customers by implementing both vaccine verification and, for those who are not fully vaccinated, verification of a negative COVID-19 test (within 2 days if PCR and 1 day if antigen).

People who are ill with COVID-19 symptoms should wear a mask regardless of vaccination status, test and stay home. People are still required to mask, regardless of vaccination status, if they are within 10 days of symptom onset of a COVID-19 infection (or positive test if asymptomatic) or quarantining after exposure to COVID-19.

Fully vaccinated people are recommended to continue indoor masking when the risk of COVID-19 transmission or severe disease may be high. Well-fitted surgical masks or respirators, known as N95s, KN95s, KF94s, are highly recommended by the PPHD.

Up to date vaccinations (including booster doses when eligible) are highly recommended for everyone ages 5 years and older as the safe and effective way to protect against severe disease from COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.

In addition, the Pasadena Public Health Department strongly encourages people to continue to mask indoors and follow other common-sense COVID-19 safety strategies, such as staying home when sick; frequent hand-washing; and testing for COVID-19 when in contact with someone who has the virus or when experiencing any COVID-like symptoms.

The State’s Health Order continues to order masking indoors in K-12 schools and at childcare centers.  Local health jurisdictions do not have the authority to relax that requirement.

For local COVID-19 resources including testing and vaccination locations, visit:

https://www.cityofpasadena.net/covid-19/.