Mono County Health Officer Rescinds Face Covering Order

February 14, 2022 – Dr. Caryn K. Slack, Mono County Local Health Officer, has issued an Order rescinding the “Face Coverings For All While in Public” Order issued on August 6, 2021.  Effective February 16, 2022, Mono County Public Health will align with the guidance set forth by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and remove any local Health Officer Orders related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

On February 7, CDPH announced that it would be lifting its statewide mask mandate for vaccinated residents in indoor public spaces on February 16, 2022. Masks will still be required for unvaccinated individuals indoors, and for everyone in the following select settings:

  • Public Transit
  • K-12 Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Skilled Nursing Facilities

“We continue to urge individuals that are feeling ill to remain home, wear a mask when in public, and test for COVID-19,” said Dr. Slack.  “While our local infection rate has improved, transmission and spread will still occur, and we ask residents and visitors to self-monitor for symptoms, and respond accordingly.”

The CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Masks can be accessed here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/guidance-for-fa....

 

COVID-19 TESTING

Both OptumServe and Mono County Public Health provide free COVID-19 testing clinics in Mono County (pending weather-related issues). OptumServe offers testing Tuesday through Saturday from 11am – 7pm in Mammoth Lakes.

Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order four (4) free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests from the federal government. The tests are completely free, and orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests online at: www.covidtests.gov.

About the tests:

  • Rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR
  • Can be taken anywhere
  • Results in 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
  • Work whether or not you have COVID-⁠19 symptoms
  • Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-⁠19 vaccines

When to test:

  • If you begin having COVID-⁠19 symptoms, including fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
  • At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-⁠19, or
  • When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-⁠19 vaccines

Mono County Public Health offers testing in other locations throughout the county at various times throughout the week.  While both OptumServe and Mono County Public Health accept walk-ins at their COVID-19 testing clinics, pre-registration is strongly encouraged as walk-ins will only be accommodated pending resource availability.  Mono County Public Health will be adding pop-up testing clinics as additional resources become available. 

The COVID-19 testing schedule for February can be accessed here: https://coronavirus.monocounty.ca.gov/pages/health.

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