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San Francisco

Axios San Francisco

California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said Monday that the state will reinstate a mask mandate in all indoor public spaces starting on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: The move comes amid rising concern about the Omicron variant, which has led to an uptick in cases in recent weeks. The rate of infections in California has increased 47% since Thanksgiving, per Reuters.

The mandate will be in place for one month.

Some counties already enforce their own indoor mask mandates, according to Los Angeles Times. 

California to reinstate mask mandate for indoor public spaces

The rate of infections in California has increased 47% since Thanksgiving.

Photo of a sign that says "masks required" as people walk around in the background

A "Masks Required" sign inside the Ferry Building in San Francisco, California. Photo: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

California

Coronavirus

California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said Monday that the state will reinstate a mask mandate in all indoor public spaces starting on Wednesday, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Reuters reports" data-vars-click-url="Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said Monday." data-vars-content-id="5f001ff9-b448-4222-81f1-9f3a05c1301d" data-vars-headline="California to reinstate mask mandate for indoor public spaces" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly said Monday." target="_blank">Reuters reports</a>.Why it matters: The move comes amid rising concern about the Omicron variant, which has led to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uptick in cases in recent weeks" data-vars-click-url="https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/#todays-update" data-vars-content-id="5f001ff9-b448-4222-81f1-9f3a05c1301d" data-vars-headline="California to reinstate mask mandate for indoor public spaces" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://covid19.ca.gov/state-dashboard/#todays-update" target="_blank">uptick in cases in recent weeks</a>. The rate of infections in California has increased 47% since Thanksgiving, per Reuters.

The U.S. health system faces critical questions about cost, access and equity. Technological advances and new discoveries about diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s are transforming patient care and reshaping public health.

Health

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Politics & Policy

California to reinstate mask mandate for indoor public spaces

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