Yes, California recently announced a new mask mandate in response to the increasing cases of COVID-19. On December 6th, 2020, California updated their mask guidance, which requires Californians to wear masks or facial coverings in all public and indoor settings, and outdoors whenever it is not possible to stay six feet apart from others.
Additionally, the state of California has outlined additional special considerations for people who cannot wear a mask due to medical conditions or disabilities, as well as potential exceptions for certain employees, such as school staff and child care providers.
It is important for all Californians to take the necessary measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect themselves and their loved ones. This includes wearing a mask as well as physical distancing, washing hands frequently and avoiding large gatherings.
Do you still have to wear a mask in California?
Yes, wearing a facial covering is currently mandatory in California in most public settings. According to the latest guidance from the California Department of Public Health, all people aged 2 years and up must wear a face covering in California when in any indoor or outdoor public space or when in any public or private place when around other people who are not from their household.
Additionally, face coverings are required in any shared vehicle, such as private cars, taxis, rideshares, shuttle buses, van pools, or public transit. Face coverings are further required in any workplace or business, such as retail stores, gyms, and salons, that may be open and serving customers.
Such as when dining, exercising, or swimming. The facial coverings may be either cloth masks or surgical masks; face shields are not an acceptable form of facial covering.
Can a business require customers to wear a mask in California?
Yes, a business in California can require its customers to wear a mask on the premises. In fact, businesses in California are legally required to mandate face masks for their customers due to the Health and Safety Code Section 120195 issued by the California Department of Public Health.
The code applies to any business or organization in California that provides services to the public or is open to the public in any capacity. It requires customers, visitors, and workers in the business or organization to wear a face covering when they are within six feet of other people.
Businesses must also post signage at the entrance to their business that informs customers of the requirement to wear a face covering. The code also requires that businesses take steps to refuse entry or service to customers who are not wearing face coverings.
While businesses and customers in California are required to comply with the code and the mandate to wear face coverings, customers can be exempt from the requirement if they have certain medical conditions or disabilities.
If a customer presents a valid doctor’s note stating that wearing a face covering is not medically advisable for them, then the business must provide them with an accommodation.
What to do if a customer refuses to wear a mask?
If a customer refuses to wear a mask, the best approach is to politely explain the safety guidelines of your business and why wearing a mask is important. Make sure to be polite, yet firm, in emphasizing that masks must be worn in the store.
Some customers may be uncooperative, so it is important to keep the conversation professional and to remain calm and courteous. If the customer still refuses to wear a mask and continues to be uncooperative, other steps may need to be taken such as asking them to leave the premises, calling the police, or referring to your business’s safety policy.
It is important to document any occurrences involving customers not wearing masks. Make sure that any employees, customers, and onlookers are safe and that the issue is handled in a professional and effective manner.
Can I enforce mask wearing in my shop?
Yes, you can enforce mask wearing in your shop. The law in many jurisdictions allows businesses to require customers to wear face coverings, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health officials strongly recommend the use of face coverings in public settings like shops and stores.
You can start by clearly communicating your expectations on mask wearing in your shop, including posting signs on and around the shop or stating the policy on your website and/or social media. You may also consider implementing a ‘no-mask, no-entry’ policy, as well as setting up a system for enforcing the policy.
For example, you can designate an employee to serve as the ‘mask monitor’ and remind customers to wear their masks. Additionally, if a customer does not comply with the policy, you can politely inform them of the requirement and ask them to put on their face covering or leave the premises.
You may also consider partnering with local public health organizations for guidance and resources to reinforce mask wearing requirements. Ultimately, it is in your best interest to make sure your customers have access to masks and can easily comply with your mask-wearing expectations.
What are the rules for mask wearing in California?
In California, the state government requires all residents to wear face coverings when in public or in any indoor setting where social distancing is not possible. This applies in all counties within California, unless the local government has imposed a stricter rule.
Face coverings must cover both the nose and mouth and should fit snugly against the sides of the face. The CDC also recommends wearing cloth face coverings when in larger groups of people or in public spaces where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
Face coverings are not required for children younger than two years old, and are also not required for individuals when they are outdoors in public spaces, such as when walking, running, or hiking.
When in educational, recreational and childcare facilities, face coverings are only required for adults and children over the age of two, except when eating or drinking.
Individuals who are eating in restaurants are unrequired to wear face coverings unless the local government mandates them. People can also remove face coverings while swimming or engaging in water activities.
Businesses in California are also required to post signs and inform their customers of the requirement to wear face coverings when visiting the business. Businesses must also require employees to wear face coverings at all times while working, except when eating or drinking.
Finally, it is important to remember that face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing and that California residents should continue to maintain social distancing and good hygiene to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Is it mandatory to wear a mask?
It depends. In many parts of the world, it is currently recommended or even mandatory to wear a face mask in public areas in order to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Government and health authorities have issued guidelines specifically advising people to wear face masks when in public, including when shopping, travelling, when around other people, in crowded places and indoors.
Face coverings are primarily a protective measure for the people around you, rather than for you. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends wearing a face mask when in public, if possible, to limit the chance of a virus being passed from one person to another.
In many places, it is now a legal requirement to wear face coverings when in certain public places.
It is important to note that disposable and non-medical masks may not be strong enough to protect you from the virus, whereas medical versions such as the N95 masks and medical-grade respirators may better protect you from airborne viruses.
In any case, it is essential to follow the guidelines and recommendations set by your local health authority.
Can I force my employees to wear a face mask?
Yes, you can force your employees to wear a face mask in the workplace. However, it is important to note that depending on your jurisdiction, some form of legal or employer-employee agreement must be in place in order to do so.
For example, most states in the United States require employers to consult with employees to ensure that the safety measures being put in place are reasonable and practical to implement. Even with such an agreement in place, employers must be aware that certain exemptions may apply to certain employee groups, including but not limited to those individuals who have a medical condition or disability that could make wearing a face mask difficult or impossible.
In addition, several states have issued guidance documents outlining the responsibilities of employers when implementing a face mask policy, including providing employees with sufficient protective equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) and the necessary training on how to properly wear and care for face masks.
Can you refuse to serve a customer?
In most cases, it is not within a business’ rights to refuse to serve a customer without cause. The customer has to be engaged in questionable, harassing or dangerous behavior before an establishment is legally able to refuse them service.
Refusing to serve someone can open up the business to potential civil or criminal charges. Additionally, it creates bad press and creates a negative impression of the establishment in the community.
The best practices for avoiding a situation that would require the business to refuse service is to stay proactive. If a customer is behaving inappropriately, business owners should step in and alert staff on duty so they can be proactive in preventing customers from engaging in dangerous or harassing behavior.
Establishments should also have clear policies in place that outline the boundaries of acceptable behavior, allowing them to take appropriate steps to ensure that all customers have a pleasant experience.
If necessary, customers who do not adhere to the rules may be asked to leave. It is important for business owners to always document any threatening behavior that takes place to protect the business from any potential legal action.