Maps Show Where Mask Mandates Are Returning Across US

Hospitals and health care facilities in New York, New Jersey and California will require their staff to wear masks in certain settings this winter.

This is to reduce the spread of multiple infectious respiratory diseases, including influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the newest strain of the coronavirus, XEC.

RSV causes symptoms similar to the flu, common cold or COVID-19. Like those respiratory viruses, it infects the nose, throat and lungs.

Mask Mandates in New Jersey

"We're seeing a rapid uptick in respiratory infections in New Jersey, specifically RSV and the flu," Dr. Andy Anderson, executive vice president and chief medical and quality officer for RWJBarnabas Health, told Newsweek.

"We've been tracking our data, and about a month or so ago we saw some gradual increase, but other [than] the last couple of weeks, there's been a rapid increase," Anderson said.

RWJBarnabas Health, the largest system of hospitals in New Jersey, announced a mask mandate effective starting Monday for all staff, patients and visitors in its hospitals.

At outpatient and medical group facilities, masks are now "strongly encouraged" for all providers, staff, visitors and vendors whenever they are in the presence of patients.

Patients with respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, sore throat, fever and runny nose, are now required to wear a mask, along with those caring for them.

Also, any patient at an RWJBarnabas Health facility now has the right to request health care providers or staff to wear a mask while treating them.

"It's really about protecting others by wearing a mask and preventing the spread of respiratory infections," Anderson said. "All respiratory viruses are spread through the air, and the masking is helpful to prevent or reduce the spread of those viruses."

He said that an "uptick in respiratory viruses" happens every year during the winter months, so it was likely that the same would happen again.

"The flu vaccine, the COVID vaccine and the RSV vaccine are all important ways to protect yourself and others from getting sick," Anderson said.

In a stock photo, nurses and doctors are seen wearing masks. The map in the inset shows U.S. states in which mask mandates have been announced in some or all hospitals among health care workers... Ridofranz/iStock / Getty Images Plus / Canva / Datawrapper

Mask Mandates in New York

As of Wednesday, health care staffers in New York state who have not been vaccinated against the flu must wear masks when working in areas where patients or residents are typically present.

New York state Health Commissioner James McDonald said in a statement: "My declaration that flu is prevalent across the State means healthcare personnel who are not vaccinated against the flu this season need to take extra precautions and wear a mask in healthcare facilities to avoid exposing sick patients and those most vulnerable to complications of the virus."

He went on: "The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against infection and will lessen the symptoms if you get sick. I encourage everyone 6 months and older to get the flu shot, and it's not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones and ensure you don't miss out on holiday celebrations."

Mask Mandates in California

In California, health care facility mask mandates have been announced by several county public health departments in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The announcements were made in September and October, but the mandates are effective from November 1 to March 31, 2025.

In Alameda, Berkeley, Contra Costa County and Napa County, staff and other workers in certain health care facilities are required to wear masks in patient care areas, and masks are strongly recommended for others and elsewhere, to protect patients.

In San Francisco, anyone working in "skilled nursing facilities" is required to wear a well-fitted mask when in the same room as patients or residents.

In San Mateo and Santa Clara, the mandate also applies to visitors in patient care areas, including patients' family members, as well as staff.

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