Cathedral City, Palm Springs take different approaches on face masks

Within the span of 24 hours, two Coachella Valley cities took two entirely different approaches when it comes to wearing face masks.

On Thursday, voted unanimously to keep the current COVID-19 rules in place at least until the Jan. 27 city council meeting, when it will consider changes.

The City Council unanimously voted to keep the following rules;

  • Masks are required for all people, regardless of vaccination, in indoor public settings
  • Proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours required in city restaurants and bars
  • Proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours required for large ticketed events
  • Proof of vaccination or weekly COVID-19 testing for city employees

Council followed the recommendation of Palm Springs’ emergency management coordinator, Danny DeSelms.

“My professional opinion is that I would recommend waiting through this winter season,” he said. “Winter is historically a time when more endemic disease pops up and more people get sick, as well as the holidays bring people close and there is more travel.”

DeSelms said COVID-19 cases have risen slightly lately but overall remained relatively flat for the past several weeks. Case levels also remain far below where they were at this point last year when the winter surge was already well underway.

Just 24 earlier, the Cathedral City City Council opted to let its indoor face mask mandate expire today, Friday, Dec. 10.

The decision came as City Manager Charlie McClendon said Cathedral City’s COVID-19 cases have been trending up for the past two weeks. As of Monday, Dec.6, he said the city has an average of 10 new cases per day.

Image Sources

  • face mask: Pixaby