Alameda County Easing Mask Requirements For The Fully Vaccinated

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA -- With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations declining, on November 1 the County of Alameda will ease masking requirements in certain indoor settings where everyone is fully vaccinated, health officials announced today.

Eligible settings are in controlled spaces not open to the general public, including offices, gyms and fitness centers, employee commuter vehicles, and organized gatherings in other indoor settings where a group gathers on a regular basis, like religious gatherings.

Under the order, participating businesses, organizations, or hosts must verify that all patrons, employees, and attendees are fully vaccinated before allowing people to participate without face coverings inside their facilities. There can be no more than 100 persons present at these facilities. Those present must also not have COVID-19 symptoms.

An employer or host can only accept one or more of the following as proof of vaccination:
• A vaccination card issued by the CDC or a foreign governmental jurisdiction which includes the
name of the person vaccinated, the type of vaccine provided, and the date(s) the dose or doses
were administered;
• A photo or copy of a vaccination card either as a hardcopy or stored on a phone or electronic
device;
• Documentation of vaccination from a health care provider;
• A personal digital COVID-19 vaccine record issued by the State of California and available by going to https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.c... or similar documentation issued by another state, local, or foreign governmental jurisdiction.

Everyone's identity must be confirmed using government-issued photographic identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

"Allowing vaccinated people to remove their masks in these limited, controlled settings carries lower risk,” Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss said. "If vaccinated people choose to continue wearing masks, they should feel comfortable doing so."

Except as specified in the new order, indoor-masking requirements remain in effect in public settings, such as bars, restaurants, and retail stores until criteria for lifting the local indoor masking requirements are met. Masking continues to be required in indoor K-12 school settings.

The state continues to require face coverings for all unvaccinated persons in indoor public spaces and everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in health care facilities, public transit and adult and senior care facilities.

San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, and Contra Costa Counties recently issued similar orders easing masking requirements as COVID cases and hospitalizations have steadily declined since peaking in the summer.

Case rates in Alameda County have seen a similar decline over the past two months, officials say. As of October 27, only 71.6% of all Alameda County residents were fully vaccinated, according to the county health department.