LA County mandates masks at large outdoor events regardless of vaccination status
Los Angeles County will require face masks to attend large outdoor events such as music festivals, sporting events and parades beginning Thursday at 11:59 p.m. (Antonio Martinez/Daily Bruin)
By Victoria Ke Li
Aug. 17, 2021 3:13 p.m.
Los Angeles County will require face masks to attend large outdoor events effective Thursday at 11:59 p.m., regardless of vaccination status.
All individuals who attend outdoor events with more than 10,000 attendees must wear masks at all times, except while actively eating or drinking, according to an LA County Department of Public Health order updated Monday. Attendees must promptly put their mask back on after finishing eating or drinking, the order added.
The order comes amid a rise in cases and hospitalizations in recent months. The seven-day average of new cases per day was 3,362 as of Aug. 17, according to the LA Times, marking a 17% increase over the previous two weeks.
Affected outdoor events include music festivals, sports games, parades, marathons and car shows.
The order also recommends all attendees be fully vaccinated or recently test negative for COVID-19, in line with previous state guidance. Event organizers are encouraged to assign staff to remind attendees to wear masks while at the event.
LA County previously reinstated its mask mandate indoors July 18.
Contributing reports by Justin Jung, city and crime editor.
