Latest Mask Order For Dublin, Alameda County

DUBLIN, CA — The indoor mask requirement for Dublin and all of Alameda County was modified this week by Nicholas Moss, the county health officer.

The order was signed Wednesday and took effect immediately.

It states, "This Order directs that face coverings must be worn over the mouth and nose – regardless of vaccination status – in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and workplaces, including but not limited to: offices, retail stores, restaurants and bars, theaters, family entertainment centers, conference and event centers, and State and local government offices serving the public."

However, Moss clarified Friday afternoon that a loosening of restrictions for fully vaccinated people, which took effect on Nov. 1, remains in effect.

This week’s order brings the county into alignment with state guidance on indoor K-12 youth sports and K-12 indoor playing of musical instruments.

Recent media attention has focused on the omicron variant of the coronavirus, but Moss told Patch that there has been no evidence of community spread of omicron here. The only confirmed cases in Alameda County are linked to an out-of-state wedding.

The county continues to selectively sequence coronavirus found here, waiting to see if omicron will emerge. “My biggest question is will it cause more severe disease in vaccinated people,” Moss told Patch.

Moss said that the delta variant continues to take a toll on residents. "Hospitalizations have also increased, primarily among unvaccinated persons," he said in the health order. "The county of Alameda is also seeing a concerning increase in cases among staff and residents in long-term care facilities and in other congregate living settings."

As of Wednesday, 89 confirmed or suspected COVID-19 hospitalizations were reported in the county, up from 58 on Dec. 1. The number is still far lower than the delta peak in August, when more than 200 people were hospitalized because of COVID-19. In January, before the delta variant emerged, Alameda County saw more than 400 daily hospitalizations for COVID-19.

The health officer emphasized the importance of all eligible residents getting vaccinated, including booster shots. Here is information on obtaining a COVID- 19 vaccine in Alameda County.

Moss expressed extra concern for people at increased risk of serious illness or death. "Household transmission and small gatherings also continue to be major drivers of COVID-19 transmission," he said. "The CDPH recommends that fully vaccinated people who are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection who reside with others consider wearing a mask even at home or in other private settings. This recommendation is especially important if other residents are either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated."

Since the start of the pandemic, 1,513 people in Alameda County have died as a result of COVID-19, and more than 123,000 cases have been confirmed.

Those who disobey the health order may be punished with a fine, imprisonment or both.

Read the full health order here.