As Los Angeles County continues to see reduced numbers of those infected with the COVID-19 virus, required safety measures are being considered while noting that vulnerable individuals should continue to layer in all protections possible. Given decreased risk, the LA County Dept. of Public Health is modifying the Health Officer Order to allow establishments, businesses and venues verifying vaccination status to offer optional masking for fully vaccinated individuals. This modified Health Officer Order went into effect as of Feb. 25.

The Health Officer Order allows establishments, businesses or venues two options for removing masking requirements for fully vaccinated individuals.

Option 1 Establishments, businesses or venues that want to allow fully vaccinated customers and workers to unmask while indoors must: a) Verify that 100% of their customers 5 years and older and workers prior to or upon entry to indoor spaces provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 viral test result. Tests for customers must be taken within two days of entry if a PCR test, or one day if an antigen test. Employees will be allowed to submit a negative test result every three days.

Those who are not fully vaccinated or do not show proof of vaccination are required to provide a negative test and continue wearing a well-fitting mask while indoors, except when actively eating or drinking.

Option 2 Establishments, businesses or venues that want to allow their fully vaccinated customers to unmask indoors while all on-site workers remain masked must verify that 100% of customers 5 years and older prior to or upon entry to indoor spaces provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or provide proof of a recent negative COVID-19 viral test result. Tests for customers must have been taken within two days of entry if a PCR test or one day if an antigen test.

Customers must adhere to the following masking: Fully vaccinated customers may be unmasked in the indoor setting and customers who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear a well-fitting mask while indoors except when actively eating or drinking.

Any individual showing proof of full vaccination prior to entering can still choose to wear a mask indoors.