California Requires Residents To Wear Masks in High-Risk Areas

By Joey Tack on June 18, 2020

This photo illustration taken on January 28, 2020 shows protective face masks in Bangkok. – Thailand has detected 14 cases so far of the novel coronavirus, a virus similar to the SARS pathogen, an outbreak which began in the Chinese city of Wuhan. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) (Photo by MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images)

From our partners at KCRA3:

Residents will be required to wear face coverings in high-risk areas, the California Department of Public Health said Thursday. Residents must wear a face coverings in the following situations:

• Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space
• Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental 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
  • Working in any space 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 and 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
• 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

Children and people with medical conditions are exempt from the mandatory face coverings rule.

People at restaurants and anyone doing outdoor work are also exempt, as long as they maintain physical distancing.

Californians required to wear masks in high-risk areas, health officials say. -KCRA3 (More info here)