Don’t burn your masks just yet. Capitol Drugs/Power Zone and AHF WeHo pharmacies in West Hollywood still require masks when entering their businesses, regardless if a person is fully vaccinated.
A sign at the main entrance of Capitol Drugs/Power Zone reads: “You May Not Enter Without a Mask. Even If You Are Fully Vaccinated.”
The sign further reads that it is in compliance with the LA County Health Officer Order, which states that customers and staff are required to wear face coverings to ensure the safety of all. Customers failing to comply may be asked to leave by the staff.
Photo by Dan Mryglot for WEHO TIMES“We are pharmacy and we still handle medications for people with high risks,” said a pharmacist at Capitol drugs. “We want to make sure we are sanitized with everything. We want to make sure that everyone is still safe. Not everyone is vaccinated and if they’re COVID-19 positive and walk in here, we’re handling people’s medicine. One person gets sick and we don’t want a chain reaction, so we want to take precautions to take care of everybody. We want to protect everyone, not just ourselves.
According to a source, everyone has been compliant at the West Hollywood location. There is no deadline at this time. The pharmacy is currently playing it by ear. Masks are also required at the Capitol Drugs location in Van Nuys.
AHF WeHo Pharmacy posted a similar message on their social media earlier this week.
“Masks still required,” reads the post on Instagram. “Let’s keep this healthy habit going for a little longer. Just a friendly reminder that we still require face masks at the pharmacy. Stay protected and do your part.”
AHF WeHo Instagram screen grabCVS Pharmacy a block away from Capitol Drugs does not currently require masks.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released updated guidance on masking on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, as follows:
- Masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
- On public transit – (such as airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (such as airports, bus terminals, marinas, train stations, seaports or other ports, subway stations, or any other areas that provide transportation);
- Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings;
- In healthcare settings (including long-term care facilities);
- In state and local correctional facilities and detention centers; and
- In homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers.
Additionally, masks are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (such as retail stores, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, and state and local government offices serving the public).
Cal/OSHA sets standards for workplaces and, at this time, there are no changes in workplace restrictions, which require masks indoors and social distancing indoors, and which require masks in outdoor workplaces unless six feet of distance is maintained.
In settings where masks are required only for unvaccinated individuals, businesses, venue operators or hosts may choose to:
- Provide information to all patrons regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest to their vaccination status before they enter;
- Implement vaccine verification to determine whether individuals are required to wear a mask; or
- Require all patrons to wear masks.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has developed a helpful information sheet regarding mask requirements: WhenToWearAMask.pdf
Health officials urge all people to get vaccinated. Residents ages 12 and older with internet access are urged to use www.VaccinateLACounty.com to sign up for a vaccination appointment. For people without access to a computer or the Internet, or people with disabilities, an LA County call center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. to help schedule appointments at (833) 540-0473.
