Mayor Sam Liccardo said the mandate will reduce risk of “super spreader” events at major city venues.

The recommendation comes amid an increase in COVID-19 cases, almost exclusively among the unvaccinated, and the proliferation of the more-transmissible Delta variant. 

Santa Clara County has the nation’s highest vaccination rate among large counties, and one of the highest vaccination rates among all counties, according to CDC data.  As of June 20, 2021, 80% of residents aged 12 and older have received their first dose, and over 71% of residents aged 12 and older were fully vaccinated.

Workers had been required to wear a mask or other face covering regardless of their vaccination status or whether they worked indoors or outside. The new rules allowing masks went into effect today.

Gov. Gavin Newsom promised business as usual on Tuesday, but there could be exceptions to everyday life returning to normal. Here are questions and answers to clear up some of the confusion.

Another decision next week could change California mask rules again, offering clarity or even more confusion for employers.

Although Gov. Gavin Newsom initially had indicated that the state’s mask mandate would remain in place even after other restrictions had been lifted, officials have since said that Californians will no longer have to wear masks, unless a private business decides to continue requiring them.

The new ordinance “is critical to deal with the significant volume of complaints,” County Counsel James Williams told the Board of Supervisors.