California Travel Advisory, Indoor Mask Mandate Reimposed

California is Asking All Arrivals to California from Other States and Countries to Test for COVID-19 Within 3-5 Days of Arrival, regardless of vaccination status. Those who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate as per CDC guidance.

California Travel Guidelines: COVID-19 Test Within 3-5 Days After Arrival from Another Country or State

Additionally, California is reinstating its indoor mask mandate for all indoor public settings from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15, 2022.

Per Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the state Health & Human Services Agency, “Even a 10% increase in indoor masking can reduce case transmission significantly.”

California has seen a 47 percent increase in COVID-19 case rates across the state since Thanksgiving, increasing from 9.6 cases per 100,000 Californians to now more than 14 per 100,000. Case rates in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area remain relatively low, but other areas, particularly those with low vaccination rates, are seeing bigger increases and strained hospital capacity. Areas where vaccine rates are low and hospitals are strained include Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the Central Valley, San Joaquin Valley and the northernmost parts of

As we wrote in Omicron 4X as Transmissible, Everyone Needs a Booster, one of the best ways travelers can protect themselves and others from an adverse outcome from Omicron is by getting fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine and getting a 3rd booster shot.

While the California testing recommendation isn't a mandate, it's a wise suggestion for everyone, particularly during the busy holiday season of increased travel, and we'll be following it after returning from international travel, particularly before we see friends and family. So many cases of Omicron present with mild or even no symptoms, that it would be easy for many recent travelers to contribute to viral spread unless they test, realize they're positive, and isolate.

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