Most California workers to stay masked under revised rules

California employees will soon be able to skip masks in the workplace, but only if every employee in the room is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Workers in California will have to keep their masks on unless every employee in the room is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. That's the mandate under revised rules approved Thursday night by a sharply divided California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. The guidelines are expected to go into effect by June 15 — the same day that the state more broadly loosens masking and other requirements in social settings in keeping with recent federal health recommendations. In the run-up to the board's vote, business groups had harshly criticized the new rules. Board members made it clear the regulations are temporary while they consider further easing pandemic rules in coming weeks or months. Opponents of the mask requirement for workplaces had already suggested that Gov. Gavin Newsom could use his executive powers to override its decision amid criticism that the revised regulations contrast with his promise to lift most pandemic restrictions on June 15.