Masks To Be Required Inside San Mateo County Facilities

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Masks will be required at all indoor San Mateo County facilities beginning Monday, regardless of vaccination status.

The decision was made out of an abundance of caution due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the county and the increasing prevalence of the Delta variant, the county officials said in a news release Thursday.

The rule applies to both staff and visitors.

Cases have ticked up in San Mateo County since California re-opened on June 15. The county reported 74 new cases on July 15 compared to 15 cases a month prior. Fifteen people are currently hospitalized in county hospitals with COVID-19 and six are in the intensive care unit.

A week ago, only four people were hospitalized.

“Our deepest condolences go out to all of you who have lost loved ones and friends due to the pandemic,” County Manager Mike Callagy said. “The increasing case numbers are a harsh reminder that we are not done with COVID and COVID is not done with us. Let’s all continue to do our part by getting vaccinated and taking common-sense precautions so we can keep all of us safe.”