Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials have announced that indoor masking will be strongly recommended, but not required, for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, except in high-risk settings where federal and state regulations continue to require masking.

High-risk settings that will continue to require masking include public transit, emergency shelters, health care settings, correctional and detention facilities, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities.

The decision comes as a result of a reduced COVID-19 spread, allowing the county to move into a lower risk tier, health department officials said.

Masks will still be required indoors at schools and childcare facilities until March 11, when masks will be strongly recommended for students, children, teachers and staff, regardless of vaccination status. School districts in L.A. County may continue to require masking at schools and during school activities, along with other appropriate safety protections for their school community.

The Beverly Hills Unified School District on Feb. 28 announced that it will align with the county and state requirements on March 12, though the district stressed that it will continue to support students who wear masks.

The Los Angeles Unified School District acknowledged the updated health guidance on Feb. 28, but officials said they will continue to require that masks be worn indoors, and will consult with the district’s medical director and health partners before implementing an updated mask policy.

At all sites where masking indoors is no longer mandatory, businesses may still choose to require customers and/or employees continue to wear masks or show proof of vaccination/negative test as a business practice. Employers will be required to offer, for voluntary use, medical grade masks and respirators to employees working indoors in close contact with other workers and/or customers.

Additionally, the order emphasizes that residents and workers are asked to continue adhering to masking requirements when indoors or at crowded outdoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status and to remain home when sick or in close contact with someone with COVID-19.

For information, send an e-mail to businessrecovery@beverlyhills.org, or visit beverly-hills.org/coronavirus.