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Travelers across the country can now drop their masks in airports, but some flying through San Jose said they’re keeping the protective layer on. “I’m very anxious going on this flight,” Silicon Valley resident Ashu Garg, who’s flying to San Diego with his family, told San José Spotlight. “It’s more comfortable to travel without a...
Silicon Valley’s VTA ends COVID-19 mask requirement
VTA is ending the COVID-19 mask requirement on its buses and light rail trains, making it one of the first major Bay Area transit agencies to change course. Agency officials announced the end of the mask mandate Wednesday, though strongly recommend passengers and employees wear masks aboard buses, light rail or paratransit vehicles. The agency ended its...
UPDATE: San Jose council ends COVID mask mandate
San Jose’s COVID-19 mask mandate is coming to an end almost two years after it was adopted. The city’s masking guidelines now align with the county and state, which lifted mask mandates earlier this year in almost all public indoor settings. The City Council unanimously approved ending local restrictions Tuesday with no discussion. Residents, regardless...
Santa Clara County COVID levels low, but virus sticks around
Two years after Santa Clara County announced its first shelter order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the region is stable—but the foreseeable future remains uncertain, county officials said. “Our levels are relatively low,” said Dr. Sara Cody, county public health officer. “But we still are in the middle of the worldwide pandemic. Even though...
Santa Clara County slides into endemic stage of COVID
Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Bay appears to be at a turning point as restrictions are peeling back. Still, county officials and local health experts are wary of returning fully to pre-pandemic lives. “We anticipate that we will continue to see peaks and valleys (of infection) in the months and perhaps years ahead,” a...
San Jose schools say COVID masks can stay—if students want
While some San Jose school districts are allowing for optional masking in step with new state and public health mandates, others are still requiring them. Almost two years after Gov. Gavin Newsom closed schools due to COVID-19, he announced indoor masking in schools would no longer be required as of March 12. Although case rates and hospitalizations...
Santa Clara County to lift indoor mask mandate
Starting Wednesday, masks will not be required indoors in Santa Clara County. County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody announced this significant milestone during a Tuesday news conference. She said the county and the state still strongly recommend wearing masks in all indoor public spaces. “We know that as inconvenient as it may be, COVID...
When will Santa Clara County ditch indoor masks?
Santa Clara County residents might be able to shed their masks indoors as soon as next week, as the county is close to hitting all metrics to ease COVID-19 restrictions. Dr. Sara Cody, the county’s public health officer, said Thursday the region is heading in the right direction, as the seven-day rolling average of new...
Santa Clara County sees mixed reaction to mask mandate
While California’s indoor mask mandate expired earlier this week, Santa Clara County is likely weeks away from lifting its own requirement, drawing mixed reactions from residents and business owners. “I think it’s dumb,” Chris Nuland, who works in a San Jose preschool, told San José Spotlight while wearing a mask. “The mandate is a little...
San Jose could toss its COVID vaccine mandate
A new proposal to switch from a COVID-19 booster vaccine mandate to a testing requirement is making its way through San Jose. The discussion was poised to happen during Wednesday’s Rules committee meeting. It moved to closed session after guidance from City Attorney Nora Frimann, who said personnel issues should be discussed in private. The...