State officials recommend Covid-19 testing after traveling out of state

After a 47% increase in Covid-19 case rates since Thanksgiving, the California Department of Health recommended Monday that everyone returning from out-of-state travel get tested for Covid-19  within three to five days, regardless of vaccination status.

The recommendation is not a requirement, and won’t be enforced by the state, but it could serve as a guide for school districts seeking to reduce Covid spread after the winter break.

Also on Monday, the Department of Public Health announced a statewide indoor mask mandate for public spaces starting Monday and expiring Jan. 15. Universal indoor masking was already required in schools and in about half of counties.