While, technically, San Bernardino County residents can be fined or imprisoned for not covering their faces in public during the novel coronavirus pandemic, the sheriff’s department doesn’t plan to punish violators.
“Deputies will not be stopping persons and citing them simply because they are not wearing face coverings,” said Jodi Miller, a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s spokeswoman. “We believe residents will comply with the health department’s order and want to keep themselves, their families and their friends safe during this difficult time.”
Tuesday (April 7), the County ordered residents to cover their faces in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus, stating, “Violating the order is a crime punishable by up to a $1,000 fine or imprisonment up to 90 days, or both.”
Then Wednesday (April 8), officials clarified the order by telling residents they do not expect law enforcement to broadly impose citations on violators. The county also clarified that drivers traveling alone or with members of their household do not need to cover their faces, unless they need to lower their windows to interact with first responders food service personnel, or other members of the public.
A county press release said, “The imposition of penalties on members of the public who willfully and grossly disregard public health orders by putting others at risk of exposure to this infectious disease is meant as a tool for law enforcement to use as a deterrent.”
