California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued a new statewide mandate on the wearing of cloth face coverings in both outdoor and indoor public spaces. The mandate does not change existing social distancing requirements.
While people don’t have to wear their masks while dining at restaurants, drinking at a bar or engaging in outdoor work or recreation, such as hiking, running or biking, there are other situations that require face coverings, including while:
- Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space
- Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but notlimited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician ordental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank
- Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;
- Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:
- Interacting in-person with any member of the public
- Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;
- Unless exempted by state guidelines for specific public settings (e.g., school or childcare center)
- Unless directed otherwise by an employee or healthcare provider
- Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for saleor distribution to others
- Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;
- In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person’s own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance.
- Driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi,or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.
Those exempted from wearing masks while in public include persons under age 2 for safety reasons, for those with medical or mental health conditions or a disability that prevents wearing a face covering, including people who are hearing impaired, or those obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
More information on the state’s guidance can be viewed here.
Photo credit: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office. In this photo, the governor was celebrating a state employee’s milestone.
