Several Bay Area counties have reinstated mask mandates at health care facilities to coincide with the start of respiratory virus season.
Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, along with the city of Berkeley, have all issued health orders requiring the use of face masks in health care settings, beginning November 1 and continuing through March 31, 2025 The aim is to reduce the spread of COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among vulnerable patients.
In Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa and San Francisco counties, and the city of Berkeley, the requirement applies to employees or operators in healthcare or skilled nursing facilities. It also applies to delivery drivers, contractors and first responders entering patient areas. The order does not apply to patients, visitors or residents, although masks are strongly recommended.
In San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, the order also applies to visitors to health care or nursing facilities.
There are exceptions to the orders, including people with medical conditions or those with disabilities that prevent them from wearing a mask.
Marin, Solano and Sonoma are the only Bay Area counties not to reimpose mask mandates.
California ended masking and COVID vaccination requirements for high-risk settings such as health care facilities, prisons and homeless shelters in April 2023, leaving the decision up to local health departments and individual facilities.
