Gov. Newsom Issues New Masking Mandate
On June 18, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a new order stating that to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all Californians are now required to wear face masks in most public settings.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) also updated its virus guidelines to reflect Newsom’s orders.
The order is in response to increasing research that demonstrates the effectiveness of face masks and the need for more precautions as the state economy reopens, Newsom said.
“Science shows that face coverings and masks work,” he said in a news statement. “They are critical to keeping those who are around you safe, keeping businesses open and restarting our economy. Simply put, we are seeing too many people with faces uncovered—putting at risk the real progress we have made in fighting the disease. California’s strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if people act safely and follow health recommendations.”
The order requires masking in most situations outside the home, including but not limited to:
- Inside businesses
- While waiting in a line to enter a business
- Going to a healthcare facility
- Riding public transportation
- While interacting with the public at work or working in a setting other people may enter
- While walking in common areas (hallways)
- When physical distancing isn’t possible
Persons who are exempt include, but are not limited to:
- People with disabilities
- Those for whom seeing the face is essential to communicate
- Restaurant patrons, as long as they’re 6 feet apart from other tables
- People who are exercising
The new order comes as California experiences record numbers of new COVID-19 cases as the state reopens for business. Orange County’s hospitalization and death rates have surpassed those of San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. To follow OCHCA’s daily COVID-19 case counts, testing figures and more, click here.
To read the full release from the CDPH, click here. To view the CDPH’s updated PDF guidance that requires Californians to wear a face covering in high-risk settings, click here.
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