California exempts San Francisco from statewide indoor masks mandate : Coronavirus Updates : NPR

A sign is posted at a COVID-19 vaccine site in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco on February 8, 2021. California is exempting San Francisco from a rule going into effect requiring all people to wear masks indoors. Haven Daley/AP Hide Subtitles

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Port Daley/AP

A sign is posted at a COVID-19 vaccine site in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco on February 8, 2021. California is exempting San Francisco from a rule going into effect requiring all people to wear masks indoors.

Port Daley/AP

The state of California says the city of San Francisco is exempt from the state’s newly introduced mask requirement — everyone must wear a mask indoors.

The San Francisco Department of Health said Tuesday the city will continue to allow those who are fully vaccinated to remove their masks in gyms and workplaces, even as the state’s reinstated mandate requires that masks be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status Need to become. The nationwide mandate went into effect on Wednesday.

“This refinement recognizes the hard work of the people of San Francisco during the pandemic, including how we have maintained adequate protective measures during the holiday season,” the San Francisco Department of Health said in a tweet.

According to the department, about 86% of eligible San Francisco residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine, with more than 753,000 residents vaccinated.

So far, California has administered 62 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

“It’s a recognition of all the thought and care that San Francisco residents have put into staying as safe as possible,” said Dr. San Francisco Health Officer Susan Philip told the Associated Press.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday news of the reinstatement of the indoor mask mandate as cases of the state’s coronavirus surged 47% over the past two weeks.

Earlier on June 15, state officials lifted the mask requirement for vaccinated residents.

“We know people are tired and hungry for normality. Honestly, so am I,” said California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly to AP. “Nevertheless, this is a critical time where we have a tool that we know has worked and can work.”

The nationwide indoor mask mandate is set to last until at least January 15, 2022.