California officials confirmed on Wednesday that starting next week, in most cases, Californians who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to remove their masks. This controversial change will take effect on Tuesday, the same date as California plans to fully reopen the economy, and will eventually bring the most populous state in the United States into line with the nearly a month-long COVID-19 guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In short, Californians two weeks after the last vaccination will be allowed to not wear masks in almost all environments, with some exceptions, including transportation hubs or taking public transportation; in medical institutions and long-term care facilities; Indoors in K-12 schools, nurseries, or other youth facilities; in homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers; in correctional facilities and detention centers.
On the other hand, unvaccinated individuals still need to wear masks in public indoor environments-including non-eating or drinking restaurants, retail stores, and movie theaters.
California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Gurry said that the state’s latest mask guidelines “follow the science we know today.”

Vaccination is the greatest protection. In the current stage of epidemic prevention and control, as long as everyone can be vaccinated, we have the opportunity to take off the mask.