The City of Alexandria has issued new guidance, following an announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that locals should return to wearing masks in all public indoor settings.
The ongoing spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 has led the CDC to recommend that communities with substantial or high transmission levels wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. A press release from the city noted that the city elevated its state of COVID-19 community transmission for the first time since early May.
“Because Alexandria is currently in a state of substantial transmission, and is exceeding 50 new cases per 100,000 residents in the past seven days, masks should be worn in public indoor settings,” the city said in the press release. “The CDC also recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to all schools.”
Kelly Gilfillen, acting director for the Office of Communications and Public Information, said the uptick in new reported cases is causing the city to reevaluate its vaccination, testing and masking policy for employees.