Dec. 30, 2021: With the highly contagious COVID-19 omicron variant circulating in Contra Costa, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) announced a health order requiring everyone to mask in all indoor public settings.
Previously, there were limited exceptions to the indoor masking order. Public speakers and performers, and fully vaccinated groups of up to 100 people were allowed to remove their face coverings under controlled conditions.
The order, now requires all people in the county, regardless of vaccination status, to mask in public indoor settings, including but not limited to:
- Business offices
- Retail stores
- Restaurants
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Theaters
- Family entertainment centers
- Meeting rooms
- State and local government facilities where services are provided to the public
Religious gatherings remain exempt from the masking requirement to the extent that removal of face coverings is necessary for participation in a religious activity. Also, in alignment with state guidance, performers at indoor live or recorded settings or events such as music concerts or theatrical plays are not required to wear masks.