Big changes are coming to the City of Phoenix Face Mask Policy. Today, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a new set of measures that will allow people who are healthy and living in counties where the coronavirus poses a low or medium community risk level, to stop wearing a face mask in public settings.

As of Feb. 28, 2022, Maricopa County is at a medium risk level, so effective immediately, a face mask will not be required for most City employees working in departments other than Aviation and Public Transit, as those departments must continue to adhere to other federal requirements. A medium risk level means in the last seven days, there have been fewer than 200 people (per 100,000) admitted to local hospitals for COVID-19. The new CDC guidance makes it clear that that despite the risk level, if you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness, you should consult with your doctor before going into any public setting without a mask.

READ ALSO: To mask or not to mask? Here’s what experts say

Here’s what else you need to know:

• Although the City is relaxing the face mask policy, it is still important to wear a mask if you are sick or caring for someone who has COVID-19. Remember, you should not come to work if you have any symptoms of illness.

• Staying up to date on vaccines and wearing masks can protect you from severe illness and they help reduce the potential impact to your local healthcare system. There are many convenient and local options to receive a free COVID-19 vaccine and/or booster shot.

• It’s important to stay up to date on the community risk level, as this will have a direct and immediate impact on the City’s face mask policy. Should the risk level in Maricopa County increase to a high category, the City will reinstate face mask requirements.

• You may continue to wear a face mask, if that is your personal preference.

While our priority is to bring you the latest COVID-19 news and information as quickly as possible, we appreciate your patience as we work to update the Employee Health Updates webpage and face mask FAQs so they reflect the new guidelines.