Health workers and others throughout Sonoma County will be donning N95 masks again this fall and winter. The county Department of Health Services recently announced the mask order for certain health care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and dialysis centers, to protect the county’s vulnerable residents during cold and flu season.
The order, effective Nov. 1 to March 31, 2026, is due to the greater risk of COVID, flu and other respiratory virus-related illnesses during fall and winter months, Sonoma County Interim Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith said.
The mandate covers skilled nursing facilities, infusion and dialysis centers, portions of long-term care facilities where nursing care is provided, and acute and non-acute rehabilitation facilities.
In addition to covering health care employees, the order is effective for non-patients as well — such as visitors and other members of the public who are accompanying patients.
“The risk to vulnerable patients of COVID, flu and other respiratory viruses in health care facilities remains significant, so it continues to be important for face masks to be used in patient care areas when seasonal risk of exposure to one or more viruses is high,” Smith said.
Smith also strongly recommends that everyone 6 months and older get current COVID-19 and flu vaccines, and RSV vaccines if they are eligible. She also recommends that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people wear masks in public indoor settings when the COVID or influenza risk in Sonoma County is high.
“In California, vaccines remain covered by insurance for residents of all ages — and they remain the best protection we have against respiratory virus infections,” she said.