Current safety measures

Last updated May 17, 2023 at 11:13 AM

California’s COVID-19 State of Emergency is over, but COVID-19 has not gone away. To safely go about our daily lives, we need to keep taking steps to prevent the spread.

On this page:

What to do now

Use these tools to stay safe and protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

A woman's arm getting a bandage after a vaccination

Vaccinations

Get your kids and yourself vaccinated and boosted. It’s our best tool to end the pandemic. Vaccination is safe, effective, and free.

A group of people wearing masks

Masks

Wear a mask to keep from spreading the virus to those who are vulnerable. This includes those with weak immune systems, those who are pregnant, and the unvaccinated.

A man getting tested by a nurse at an outdoor COVID-19 testing center

Testing

Get tested for COVID-19 if you may have been exposed. It’s available and confidential for everyone in California.

Woman quarantining at home, on the couch with a blanket and a cup of tea

Quarantine and isolation

Find out how long to stay home and avoid others if you test positive for COVID-19. Learn how to care for yourself and others if you are exposed.

Woman looking at a digital vaccine record on her phone

Digital vaccine record

You can access a digital copy of your vaccination record if you got vaccinated in California. Save it on your phone and use it as proof of vaccination wherever you go.

A class of children raising their hands in front of a teacher

Education and childcare

Find out how we’re fighting COVID-19 at K-12 schools and childcare centers. Get rules and recommendations for masking, vaccinations, and testing.

A barista serving a coffee to go

Workplace safety

Employers are responsible for keeping the work environment safe. See the state’s rules and standards on how your employer can protect you and your colleagues.

woman taking a pill

Treatment

Medications to treat COVID-19 are free, widely available, and effective for stopping COVID-19 illness from getting serious.

A woman on a train looking at her phone

Travel

Keep California healthy and our communities open by following CDC travel guidelines.


See COVID-19 guidance in more languages.


Do’s and don’ts for daily life

Protect yourself and others by keeping these common-sense safety steps in mind.

Do

  • Get vaccinated and boosted
  • Isolate if you test positive. If you have symptoms, talk to your doctor about treatment.
  • Consider wearing a mask when levels of COVID-19 infections are higher
  • Get tested and stay home if you’re sick
  • Get tested if required by your workplace
  • Wear a mask to protect the vulnerable

Don’t

  • Lose your proof of vaccination
  • Think you can’t get the virus or pass it on because you feel well
  • Assume everyone is vaccinated
  • Expect all COVID-19 rules everywhere to be lifted
  • Attend large events if you’re sick
  • Travel if you’re sick

Read the CDC’s How to Protect Yourself and Others and CDPH’s What to Do If You’re Exposed and What to Do If You Test Positive.

Gathering safely

As you gather with friends and family, keep COVID-19 in mind. Take steps to prevent its spread.

  • Get vaccinated and boosted. It’s the best way to protect yourself and others.
  • Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Check local conditions. Your county may have stricter guidance than the state. Take extra precautions when your community levels are high. Use the COVID-19 County Check tool above to check your community level.
  • Wear a well-fitted mask over your nose and mouth:
    • When cases are on the rise, and in medium and high community levels
    • For 10 days after having a significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
    • When around vulnerable people, including people who are older or have medical conditions
  • Visit Get the Most Out of Masking for tips on how to get the most protection from your mask.
  • When gathering inside, ventilate well. Open doors and windows, run HVAC systems, and install high-quality air filters.

SMARTER Plan

The SMARTER Plan will guide California’s response to future phases of COVID-19. The plan includes:

  • What we’ve already done
  • How our experiences inform our future approach
  • How we’re preparing for the future
  • How we’re managing risk to keep people safe

Read the full SMARTER Plan.

Past restrictions

COVID-19 Disease Control & Prevention

California has moved Beyond the Blueprint to safely and fully reopen the economy. 

As of February 28, 2023, the Governor terminated the state’s COVID-19 State of Emergency. He also phased out the executive actions put in place since March 2020 as part of the pandemic response.

The public health order effective March 13, 2023, supersedes all prior health orders. The order provides prevention and mitigation strategies for slowing the spread of COVID-19 in homes, workplaces, and communities.

Read the Governor’s news release and find details in CDPH’s news release.