Guidance on Face Coverings Update
Published on Jun 18, 2020 15:19

Covid-19 Update


Guidance on Face Coverings Update

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is mandating the use of cloth face coverings by the general public statewide when outside the home, with limited exceptions. 

Californians must wear face coverings when they are in the situations listed below: 

  • 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: 
  • 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 six 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:

  • Children aged two and under; 
  • Persons with a medical, mental health, or developmental disability that prevents wearing a face covering; 
  • 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, provided that 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 such as swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, 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, as part of their mitigation plans, will have specific guidance on the wearing of face coverings of masks for both inmates and staff. 

For tips on how to make your cloth face covering, please click here, or you may watch a video by Dr. Jerome Adams, U.S. Surgeon General, for DIY instructions.

For additional information on the Department of Public Health’s guidance for cloth face coverings, please click here.