(ETH) – Health officials are urging fully vaccinated Californians to resume wearing masks in indoor public settings amid the latest sustained and significant COVID-19 surge according to a recent report from MSN.

“The Delta variant has caused a sharp increase in hospitalizations and case rates across the state. We are recommending masking in indoor public places to slow the spread while we continue efforts to get more Californians vaccinated,” Dr. Tomás Aragón, director of the California Department of Public Health and state public health officer, said in a statement Wednesday.

The new recommendation appears to be more expansive than the latest guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That agency advised Tuesday that residents mask up indoors while in public in areas where community transmission is considered “substantial” or “high,” the two worst classifications on the agency’s four-tier scale.


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Most of California fell into one of those categories as of Wednesday morning, including the entire southern third of the state. And more than 90% of California’s population lives in areas currently under one of those designations, according to the state Department of Public Health. However, the state now “recommends universal masking in indoor public settings,” according to a statement.

Meanwhile, Disneyland just announced that guests and cast members will be required to wear face masks indoors at all locations starting Friday. Starting July 30, guests two years and older will have to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status, according to the theme park’s website.

Face coverings will be required “upon entering and throughout many attractions and in enclosed transportation vehicles, including shuttles and buses.” Masks will remain optional for guests at outdoor common areas. The theme park said all face coverings (whether disposable or reusable) must:

  • Be made with at least 2 layers of breathable material
  • Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin
  • Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
  • Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free

This announcement comes after U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed their course on mask guidelines on Tuesday, followed by California’s department of public health also recommending people to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status amid the COVID surge.