As the Omicron virus variant subsides from its peak, California’s statewide indoor mask mandate requirement will expire on Feb. 15 for vaccinated residents, officials announced on Feb. 7. Unvaccinated residents will still be required to mask up indoors, along with those in certain statewide facilities, such as health care settings and K–12 schools. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the end to the mandate Monday afternoon on Twitter, noting the COVID-19 positivity rate in the state has decreased by 65 percent and hospitalizations have stabilized. The requirements for all residents regardless of vaccination status to wear a mask indoors began in December 2021. While the original deadline to ditch the masks was scheduled for Jan. 15, the mask mandate was extended to Feb. 15 after a COVID-19 holiday surge.