Despite rise in COVID cases, LA sheriff's office says no enforcing indoor mask mandate

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will not enforce the county’s indoor mask mandate, saying the decision "is not backed by science."

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will not enforce the county's health order reinstating mask wearing while indoors, saying the decision "is not backed by science." The indoor mask mandate, which applies to the vaccinated and takes effect before midnight Saturday, was reinstated in Los Angeles County Thursday in response to surging COVID-19 cases. The sheriff's office said that forcing vaccinated people and those who already contracted COVID-19 to wear masks indoors "is not backed by science." Under current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask indoors or practice social distancing.