Consistent with last week’s announcement from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, at 12.01 AM today the county lifted the requirement that masks be worn outdoors at K-12 schools and childcare facilities as well as outdoor “mega” events, such as those held at the Hollywood Bowl and SoFi Stadium. The change is due to the drop in hospitalizations for COVID-19, as well as new COVID-19 cases, which have declined significantly over the last few weeks. 

However, unlike most other areas of California and, indeed, the United States, Angelenos will still be required to wear masks in indoor public spaces. This, despite the fact that the State of California has lifted the state indoor public place mask wearing requirement.  Indeed, Los Angeles, Santa Clara and Mendocino counties are the only California areas that have retained indoor mask restrictions.  Los Angeles County officials have indicated that they will keep the indoor mask mandate in place until the region has a moderate level of transmission for seven consecutive days, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control.  Barbara Ferrer, the Los Angeles County Public Health Director, estimates that this could take place by the middle of March.