California to implement an indoor universal mask mandate over holiday season

• California will implement a universal indoor mask mandate from December 15 to January 15.
• HHS Sec. Dr. Mark Ghaly announced the mandate in light of rising COVID rates and the Omicron variant.

California is set to implement an indoor universal mask mandate from December 15 to January 15 amid rising COVID-19 infection rates, Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced Monday.

Ghaly said that the new indoor mask guidelines come in light of a 47% increase in COVID case rates across the state since Thanksgiving, as well as the Omicron coronavirus variant.

"We will require universal masking in indoor settings statewide," Ghaly said, adding that the mandate will apply to the 58% of Californians who are not currently under a mask mandate.

California will also require unvaccinated people attending events with more than 1,000 people to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the event. Previously, proof of a negative test was required 72 hours before.