The return of mask mandates is officially here.

Yup, even in late 2023, masks are back.

Starting Wednesday, several counties in Northern California have reinstated mask mandates in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare settings. This had previously been rumored, but officially took effect this week. In far left Marin and Santa Clara Counties, those rules apply not just to employees but to anyone entering those facilities.

Contra Costa, Alameda, San Mateo and Sonoma Counties are set to punish all healthcare workers with masking, though won’t require the public to mask. Yet.

They’re back. And they’re not going away anytime soon.