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Los Angeles will once again require everyone to wear masks indoors

July 17, 2021
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3 min read
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Los Angeles will once again require everyone to wear masks indoors
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Editor's Note

This post has been updated with additional information. It was originally published on July 15.

As I experienced on my recent trip to California, the state's reopening has largely meant a return to business as usual — and, for the most part, pre-pandemic life.

As part of the state's new normal, restaurants can operate at full capacity, as can gyms, movie theaters and every other indoor venue. Vaccinated people are also no longer required to wear masks indoors, though the state's most populous county is now preparing roll back some of its new rules.

Related: Health organizations offer conflicting mask guidance as delta variant spreads

As various publications and public health experts have detailed this afternoon, as of 11:59 p.m. this Saturday, July 17, everyone in Los Angeles County will once again be required to wear a mask indoors when in public.

Notably, this new requirement applies across the board — even fully vaccinated visitors and residents will need to mask up.

It's a confusing but not entirely unexpected shift, given the rapid spread of a new, even more contagious version of COVID-19, commonly referred to as the "delta variant."

Just over 69% of Los Angeles County residents age 16 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, but that still leaves a significant percentage of the population vulnerable.

Although the risk to fully vaccinated people remains low, it's unreasonable to expect businesses to confirm each customer's vaccination status in determining whether or not they should be wearing a mask — requiring face coverings across the board may be the only way to ensure compliance.

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As of now, the county doesn't appear to have any immediate plans to implement additional restrictions, and that should remain the case as long as case numbers don't continue to rise.

If community spread remains an issue, however, new measures may be added, Los Angeles County health officer Dr. Muntu Davis told the Los Angeles Times. "Anything is on the table if things continue to get worse, which is why we want to take action now," he said.

Over in Las Vegas, all Venetian and Palazzo employees — regardless of vaccine status — are required to wear masks indoors as of July 17. In a statement to TPG, a spokesperson for the company said:



In response to new recommendations from the Southern Nevada Health District, we now require that all Team Members (vaccinated or not) wear company-issued face masks while working in indoor public spaces, and in indoor areas where people congregate. In addition, we have revised our signs posted at public entrances to share this new SNHD recommendation. Complimentary face masks are available to our guests at Front Desks, Grazie Desks, and Concierge Desks.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the U.S., there's a good chance more precautions might be on the way.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.