Mask mandates to end in California, D.C.

As of Wednesday, most vaccinated Californians no longer need to wear masks indoors. Officials are keeping mask mandates in place for at least a few more weeks in Los Angeles County. California’s new rules do not apply to teachers and students, who must continue to wear masks in classrooms, at least until the end of the month. Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser ended proof-of-vaccination requirements for indoor venues starting Tuesday. Mask mandates in the nation’s capital will end on March 1, though face coverings will still be required in schools and on public transportation.

Where else are mandates ending? Workers at Amazon and Walmart, two of the largest private employers in the country, no longer need to mask up on the job. About half of the states that still had mask mandates have ended them in the last three weeks. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin added an emergency clause to a legislative amendment bill that would drop mandates in schools. The state House of Delegates passed the bill on Monday, and it heads to the Virginia Senate next. 

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Dunn’s report in Schooled about how pandemic policies are wearing down school principals.