California Governor Gavin Newsom implored people Monday to wear face coverings to protect against the coronavirus and allow businesses to safely open after several days in which the state saw its highest virus hospitalizations and number of infections to date. Ernest Figueroa explains when and where you should wear a mask…
With the statewide mandate to wear a facial covering, some people have questions of when and where a mask should be worn. Masks are required inside any public building, or if you are in line to enter the indoor space.
Masks must be worn at medical offices, pharmacies, clinics, labs, veterinarians, and blood drives.
Masks are required if you ride a bus, or are in a taxi or other ride-share vehicle.
Facial coverings are required at work if you can’t maintain social distancing of six feet or more; if you interact with the public or pass through public areas; or where food is prepared or sold.
Masks are not required for children under 2 years or while eating or drinking at a restaurant or bar.
EXCEPTIONS TO MANDATORY MASKS:
Persons age two years or under. These very young children must not wear a face covering because of the risk of suffocation.
Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.
Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence.
Persons who are engaged in outdoor work or recreation such as swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, when alone or with household members, and when they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
Persons who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails, as part of their mitigation plans, will have specific guidance on the wearing of face coverings or masks for both inmates and staff.
Note: Persons exempted from wearing a face covering due to a medical condition who are employed in a job involving regular contact with others should wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it.
