Los Angeles County REINSTATES MASK MANDATE

By Conn Maciel Carey’s COVID-19 Task Force

Yesterday, July 16th, 2021, the LA County Department of Public Health released and posted on its website a revised version of its COVID-19 Health Officer Order (“Order”), requiring masks to be worn by everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and businesses. Businesses that are open to the public must also require patrons to wear masks in indoor settings, regardless of their vaccination status, and post a clearly visible sign regarding the mask requirement at all entry points. Additionally, if a business knows of three or more cases amongst its employees within a span of 14 days at a particular site, the business must report the outbreak to the Department of Public Health at (888) 397-3993 or (213) 240-7821, or online at www.redcap.link/covidreport. The Order also encourages employers to follow the LACDPH Best Practice Guidance as well as the California Department of Public Health Interim Guidance for Ventilation, Filtration and Air Quality in Indoor Environments.

Note that the Order states that it may be revised in the future, if needed, to reflect any requirements under Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS”).  However, the Order explains that the ETS allows local health jurisdictions to require more protective mandates, and this Order is just that as related to face covering requirements.  In other words, the Order overrides the more permissive obligations in Cal/OSHA’s ETS regarding employee masking. The Order takes effect today, July 17th, 2021, at 11:59 PM.