People In California Are Now Required To Wear A Face Masks When In Public. Here Is What We Know.
California has officially mandated that everyone where face masks when in public. Previously, it was simply suggested that everyone where a face mask, but there is too much spread of the virus going on.
Governor Gavin Newsom put the order in place, and it doesn’t involve ALL settings, but most.
Pretty much, anywhere where there is public, you have to wear a mask.
Doctor’s offices, pharmacies, buses, indoor public facilities (like grocery stores), lines to get in to those public facilities, enclosed spaces with people (other than your immediate family), and outdoor spaces where 6-feet of distance is not possible are all among those settings involved in the mandate.
Food service workers are REQUIRED to wear masks. You also have to wear them in hallways, elevators, and in stairwells.
This goes along with the CDC recommendations that masks be worn at the beach, when not in the water, and all beach blankets should be kept at least 6-feet from the person next to you.
The CDC also says that food, toys, snorkels, swimming face masks and anything that is typically shared between individuals should NOT be shared at this time.
There are certain exemptions. Like if you are hard of hearing, or communicating with someone that is hard of hearing, and it’s important to read lips.
Also, those that are younger than 2 are not required to wear a mask.
Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability
GUIDANCE FOR THE USE OF FACE COVERINGS
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.
If you are working or exercising outdoors, and you are alone (or at least 6-feet from people AT ALL TIMES), you are not required to wear a mask during that time.
When eating at a restaurant, your table must be at least 6-feet from the next table. If you are with only your immediate family at the table, you may take off your masks to eat. The server, however, must wear a face mask at all times.
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger weighed in on the matter via Twitter:
So, to recap, just wear a mask! If you aren’t, you are part of the problem. We just want to get this virus out of here, and go back to life as usual. The longer people fight it, the longer it’s going to be before we get back to normal.
* And before you jump all over me, I said MOST people have to wear the masks. There are exceptions to every rule. If you are one of those people, GREAT. I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to the other eleventy million people who don’t want to follow the “wear a mask” guidelines.
