The current COVID-19 surge is leading to expanded masking requirements for parts of the Central and South Coast. Santa Barbara County Public Health officials say they are taking the action because of rising case numbers in the county.
The county’s case rate stands at 12.4 per 100,000 people and a positive test percentage of 6.8%. If the state was still using its COVID-19 color coded tier system, the county would be in the most restrictive purple tier.
Face coverings will be required in public indoor settings in Santa Barbara County regardless of vaccination status as of 5 p.m. Friday.
Los Angeles County reissued its indoor masking requirements last month. Ventura County Public Health officials tell KCLU News that the county has been looking at the idea, but isn’t doing it at this time.
The recent surge in the region has led to the cancellation of some of Santa Barbara County’s Old Spanish Days celebrations this week. The City of Goleta announced, because of the spike, its city council meetings will return to being virtual events.
