Staff at health facilities in Sonoma County must mask up again. The county’s health officer, Dr. Karen Smith, has issued an order requiring health care personnel to mask when in patient care areas. This will take effect for health care staff from November 1st until April 30th next year. The order applies to staff at health care facilities including hospitals, clinics, surgery centers, infusion centers, dialysis centers, skilled nursing facilities, portions of long-term care facilities where nursing care is provided, and other facilities where patient care is provided indoors. Dr. Smith 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.