The California Department of Public Health issued a detailed, updated June 18 Guidance requiring cloth face coverings to limit the spread of COVID-19. The guidance’s mandatory provisions include:

Face covering in high-risk situations:

• inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space
• obtaining services in the health care sector (e.g. hospital, pharmacy, dental office, etc.)
• waiting for or riding on public transportation or 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 a space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution
• 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 or private transportation (when no passengers are present, face coverings strongly recommended)
• while outdoors in public spaces when unable to maintain a physical distance of six feet from non-members of the same household or residence.

Exemptions: Persons:

• aged two years or under (due to risk of suffocation)
• with medical, mental health or disability conditions that prevent them from wearing a mask
• who are hearing impaired, where ability to see the mouth is essential for communication
• for whom wearing a face covering would create a workplace safety risk as determined by government guidelines
• seated at a restaurant or other food or beverage establishment while they are eating and drinking (provided they are able to maintain minimum six foot distance from persons not members of the person’s own household or residence
• engaging in outdoor work or recreation, e.g. swimming, walking, hiking, etc., when alone or with household members, provided six-foot minimum distance maintained, and
• who are incarcerated (but prisons and jails directed to have their own specific guidances)

The guidance observes that a cloth face covering’s primary role is to reduce the release of infectious particles when someone speaks, coughs or sneezes, “including someone who has COVID-19 but feels well.” The guidance also reminds the public that face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing, washing hands and staying home when ill.

California employers are responsible for ensuring compliance in their places of work.

See also:

• Faith and The Pandemic (June 4, 2020)
• Paid Sick Leave Going Viral; California Cities and Counties Expanding Pandemic-Related Benefits (May 29, 2020)
• COVID-19, I Presume; Workers Compensation Coverage for Diagnosed Workers (May 20, 2020)
• When the Show Must Go On; Key Protection for an Employee’s COVID-19 Diagnosis/ Symptoms (April 8, 2020)
• Workplace Safety Nets; The Coronavirus Outbreak and California Unemployment Benefits (March 27, 2020)
• Telecommuting in Response to Coronavirus Outbreak (March 18, 2020)

For more information, please contact Tim Bowles, Cindy Bamforth or Helena Kobrin.

Tim Bowles
June 26, 2020