‘Transferring ahead’: Indoor masks guidelines altering immediately for a number of Bay Space counties
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (KGO) – Three Bay Area counties have introduced new rules for wearing masks indoors. Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda County are loosening their mandates to varying degrees.
“Do you want to know what my Halloween costume is? I’ll be there tomorrow because the mask mandate ends, ”said Michael Freed.
Freed probably waited months to say that line. He owns the Bogies 2 restaurant in downtown San Rafael. From Monday, vaccinated customers and employees no longer have to wear a mask.
“I’m excited to see the end, even more concerned about the customers. They don’t want to sit inside, some still want to go outside,” Freed said.
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Marin County is the first in the Bay Area to remove mask requirements from most indoor public spaces – including Jeff Brusati’s long-running sports business.
“We are making progress, but we will be watching closely and if they ask us to wear masks again, we will wear masks again,” said Brusati.
Marin County’s health officials hope things don’t go backwards. Numbers have now been reached for the penetration into the moderate spread category for the virus.
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“The vaccination rates for all residents are over 80%, the hospital rates have declined. In fact, there are only two people with COVID-19 in the hospital today, none in the intensive care unit … a four-month low, “said Marin District Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis.
Ernest Owusu is still uncomfortable taking off his mask.
“I’m not ready yet so I’ll still be wearing a mask. I’m uncomfortable with it, I won’t be doing it for a while,” said Owusu.
In the East Bay, Contra Costa and Alameda counties will ease mask requirements on some indoor facilities, such as gyms, on Monday as long as you are vaccinated.
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“I prefer not to wear a mask when training. I just got my booster, so I’m pretty excited,” said Christine Cabras of El Sobrante.
“I think it’s a little early to change the rules with the flu season starting. Even if it’s not about preventing COVID, I think it’s nice not to be exposed to other people’s germs, ”said Georgie Ziff from San Pablo.
Back in Marin, masks are still needed in facilities such as schools and hospitals. Private business owners can choose to maintain mask guidelines.
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