Full Notification

Last week the Marin County Public Health Officer announced a new public health order for the mandatory use of face coverings in public settings. This order goes into effect at noon on Wednesday, April 22nd. Beginning Wednesday, some type of face covering, like a mask or a bandana, is required in public for everyone over the age of 12. This new requirement was made in order to better protect all of us because wearing a face covering can help to prevent the spread of droplets that may be infectious. The face covering in public, combined with physical distancing, staying home, and frequent hand washing can help minimize the spread of the virus that causes Covid19.

You should wear a face covering when interacting with others (who are not members of your immediate household) in both public and private spaces. Specifically, the order states that people must wear face coverings when:
• Inside public spaces or waiting in line to enter public spaces
• Seeking health care
• Waiting for or riding on mass transit or other shared transportation
• In common areas of buildings, such as hallways, stairways, elevators and parking facilities.
• Workers at businesses physically open and in areas where the public is present, likely to be present, or at any time when others are nearby.
• Workers in any space where food is being prepared and/or packaged for sale.
• Drivers/Operators of public transit.

There are a couple of exceptions to the face covering requirement:
• Children aged 12 or younger are not required to wear a face covering
• You’re not required to wear a face covering while exercising outdoors – walking, hiking, running, or biking, but you should carry one with you and continue to practice physical distancing during your workout.
• No need to wear the face covering while driving in your car by yourself or with members of your immediate household.

There is a great deal of information and videos online about DIY masks and face coverings. This link is from the CDC https://www.youtube.com/embed/tPx1yqvJgf4

This is something new for all of us and may take some getting used to, but let’s keep flattening that curve.

Be well.