California is ending its mask mandate but is keeping the requirement in schools for now.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday the statewide indoor mask mandate will expire Feb 15. He cited a 65% drop in COVID-19 cases and stabilized hospital rates since the surge of the omicron variant.

“Unvaccinated people must still wear masks in indoor public settings,” said Mr. Newsom, a Democrat.

The mask mandate will remain in effect in schools for staff and students.

Mr. Newsom announced an end to the mask mandate more than a week after he posed maskless for pictures with Magic Johnson and others inside SoFi stadium while attending the NFC championship game between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers.

Source: Washington Times