On August 3, 2021, the health officials of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma counties, as well as the City of Berkeley, issued a new requirement that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in public places.

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Vaccines remain the most powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Nonetheless, the Delta variant is infecting a small percentage of the vaccinated in the Bay Area—who still remain strongly protected against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. In those instances of infection in a vaccinated person, a face covering prevents further spread.

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“Face coverings are a simple and effective tool that everyone can use to slow the spread COVID-19,” said Dr. Nicholas Moss, Alameda County Health Officer. “Using face masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status, will help us protect each other and end this summer surge.”

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Remember that for masks to work properly, they need to completely cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face and around your nose.