Mask Mandate To Return At Fairfax County Government Facilities

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A mask requirement will return to Fairfax County government facilities starting Monday, Aug. 9.

The mandate applies to employees and visitors regardless of vaccination status. The move comes as the county transitioned from moderate to substantial transmission of COVID-19 this week and the continuing spread of the more-contagious delta variant.

The Fairfax County Health Department now recommends masks in any indoor public places. This is based on new CDC guidance recommending masks indoors in areas of substantial or high transmission of COVID-19 due to the delta variant.

There is no statewide mask requirement for fully vaccinated people in Virginia after the old requirement ended on May 15. Residents should be aware of where masks are required for everyone, such as public transportation, Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County government facilities.

The county urges residents to get vaccinated if eligible to fight the delta variant. A large majority of Virginia's cases, hospitalizations and deaths since Jan. 21 have been among people not fully vaccinated, according to state health department data.

The health department also encourages people to stay home when sick unless seeking medical care, keep six feet of distance from others, practicing good handwashing, and get tested if showing symptoms of COVID-19.