Live Radio
Beginning Friday, April 17, Sonoma County will require that all residents wear face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
A new public health order stipulates that residents must wear a face covering before they enter an indoor facility (except their homes), any enclosed space, and outdoor areas where they can’t keep six feet of distance from others.
Facial coverings means any fabric or cloth that covers the mouth and nose. The facial covering can be made using common everyday household items, can be sewn by hand, or factory-made.
The order also applies to employers who require their employees to leave their residence to work or provide a service. Employers must make sure that their employees comply by either supplying face coverings, ensuring access to them, or ensuring that employees are using their own coverings.
(Image: Food bank volunteer Betty Kimmel wears a protective mask as she hands out oranges to seniors at Teamsters 315 Hall in Martinez on March 19, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters)
“We hope those in our County understand the importance of complying with these Orders and cover their faces when engaging in essential activities in public,” Sonoma County Chair Susan Gorin said. “I would like to emphasize the public’s role in helping stop the spread of COVID-19 by using facial coverings and continuing to stay at home.”
The county health officer is discouraging people from purchasing medical grade surgical or N95 masks, which should be reserved for health care workers.
