On June 18, 2020, Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health provided the following Guidance for all Californians. Below are the main situations where people must wear face coverings and those people who are exempt from the Guidance. If you have any questions on how to implement these changes within your workplace please give us a call.
People in California must wear face coverings when they are in following situations:
Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space;
Obtaining services from healthcare providers in settings including, but not limited to: hospitals, pharmacies, medical clinics, laboratories, physicians or dental offices, veterinary clinics, or blood banks;
Waiting for, or riding on, public transportation or transportation for hire;
When working, 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,
Unless exempted by state guidelines for specific public settings (e.g., school or childcare center), or
Unless directed otherwise by an employee or healthcare provider;
Working where food is prepared or packaged for sale or 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 transportation for hire when passengers are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.
While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.
The following individuals are exempt from wearing a face covering:
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 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 creates a work-related risk to the person, per 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.
Persons who are seated at an establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, if 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, 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 have specific guidance on the wearing of face coverings 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.
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