City Of Millbrae: Bay Area Health Officials Urge Immediate Vaccination And Issue Orders Requiring Use Of Face Coverings Indoors To Preve ...

Millbrae CA

03 August, 2021

1:56 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Millbrae: 08/02/2021 2:08 PM Today (Monday, August 2, 2021), eight Bay Area health officers have issued health orders requiring all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings starting at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3. Vaccines remain the most powerful tool in the fight against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Nonetheless, the Delta variant is infecting those who are unvaccinated and a small percentage of those who are vaccinated in the Bay Area. In those instances of infection in a vaccinated person, face masks and coverings have shown to slow and prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Bay Area health officials urge all unvaccinated residents 12 and older to get vaccinated as soon as possible. "As San Mateo County joins its neighbors in issuing these orders, the goal is to avoid disrupting businesses and residents' everyday activities," said Scott Morrow, MD, San Mateo County's health officer. "We want our communities to stay open while being as safe as possible." These health orders aim to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 and protect everyone. Health officials are very concerned by the substantial levels of community transmission now found across the Bay Area, especially among unvaccinated people. Recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also indicates that even fully vaccinated individuals can in some cases spread the Delta variant to others, and so indoor use of face coverings provides an important added layer of protection. The new health orders require wearing a well-fitting mask indoors in public settings. Indoor settings, whether public or private, are higher risk for COVID-19 transmission, especially when you are with people you do not live with. Bay Area health officers will continue to monitor data, including increasing vaccination throughout the region, to determine when the health orders can be adjusted or lifted. Vaccinations are available throughout San Mateo County, at County-sponsored clinics, community clinics, private health care providers, pharmacies and other venues. Appointments may be accessed via https://myturn.ca.gov/. This press release was produced by the City of Millbrae. The views expressed here are the author's own.