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US-CA | COVID-19 | California Department of Public Health Requires Face Coverings
- #California Department of Public Health
- #CDPH
- #Coronavirus
- #COVID-19
- #Health & Safety
- #Occupational health & Safety
On June 18, 2020, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) now requires face coverings in most situations. Certain exceptions are provided for those who cannot safely wear a face covering. Those who are 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.
Required Situations
- Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space.
- Obtaining services from the healthcare sector.
- 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 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.
- 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.
Exceptions
The order contains the following exceptions:- Persons age two years or under.
- 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, if they can maintain a distance of at least six feet 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 can maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
- Persons who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails will have specific guidance for both inmates and staff.