California to adopt new mask policies for schools, ease masking rules for unvaccinated

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KGO) -- California will be changing school mask requirements to mask recommendations and will be adopting new indoor mask policies for people who are unvaccinated.

RELATED: Gov. Newsom dropping 95% of executive COVID-related orders in California

Starting March 12, masks won't be required in schools and child care facilities. They will be strongly recommended. March 12 is a Saturday. So effectively, the lift will take place Monday, March 14 or two weeks from today. It's still unclear if Bay Area districts will lift their mandates.

Masks will still be required in public transit, emergency shelters, health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities.

There will also be new indoor mask policies. Starting March 1, masks won't be required but strongly recommended for unvaccinated individuals in most indoor settings.

VIDEO: UCSF doctor who reviewed CA's 'endemic' plan highlights top priorities

UCSF's Dr. Bob Wachter reviewed the plan and says he believes the state will need to prioritize two aspects of this plan moving forward. Here's what he says is most important.

California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly will give an update on the new mask guidance at 1 p.m.

"California continues to adjust our policies based on the latest data and science, applying what we've learned over the past two years to guide our response to the pandemic. Masks are an effective tool to minimize the spread of the virus and future variants, especially when transmission rates are high. We cannot predict the future of the virus, but we are better prepared for it and will continue to take measures rooted in science to keep California moving forward," said Gov. Newsom.

VIDEO: Is COVID-19 an endemic yet? ABC7 explains what it means, where we are in the transition

California is the first U.S. state to treat Covid as endemic but are we there yet? ABC7 News explains the difference between a pandemic, epidemic and endemic.

According to the state, California educates 12% of the country's students in kindergarten through the 12th grade, yet with its stricter policies, has only accounted for 1% of school closures due to COVID-19.

Oregon and Washington will also adopt new indoor mask policies on March 1 and will move from mask requirements to mask recommendations in schools on March 12.

VACCINE TRACKER: How California is doing, when you can get a coronavirus vaccine

Having trouble loading the tracker above? Click here to open it in a new window.

RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

• Map shows everywhere you can get a COVID-19 test in the Bay Area


• Here's everything you need to know about COVID-19 booster shots


• How to show proof of vaccination in San Francisco or anywhere in California


• Should vaccinated people get tested if exposed to COVID-19? CDC explains



• Can a breakthrough infection still lead to long haul COVID-19? San Francisco doctor explains


• Data tracker: Coronavirus cases, deaths, hospitalizations in every Bay Area county


• Get the latest updates on California EDD, stimulus checks, unemployment benefits


• Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?


• What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?


• What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?


• Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area

The Associated Press contributed to this report.