Face Coverings / Masks

• How to make cloth masks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Executive Orders / Health Officer Directives on Face Coverings

What is a face covering?

A face covering is a covering that fully covers your nose, mouth, and chin, and is secured to your head. Examples include scarves and bandanas.

You may also wear medical-grade face coverings. Examples are N95, KN95, surgical, or other face coverings that would be appropriate for a health care setting. However, we encourage you to reserve medical-grade face coverings for use by health care workers and first responders.

Discard single-use face coverings properly in trash receptacles.

Clean reusable face coverings often, at least once per day.

You may not wear:

• a plastic face shield alone
• a face covering with a valve

Who must wear a face covering?

Everyone must wear a face covering unless they are:

• children under the age of two or unless there is a developmental or physical reason why the child should not.
• someone has a health condition or disability that makes it difficult to wear a face covering.

When must a face covering be worn?

When you leave your home, you are required to wear a face covering when you are likely to come in contact with others who are not members of your household. As a precaution, carry a face covering with you just in case you unexpectedly come in close contact with others.

Whether you are out walking or jogging, wearing a face covering when you are likely to be within six feet of someone, even if it is solely in passing, is required.

You must wear a face covering in businesses, office buildings, and other establishments open to the public. This includes common areas in apartment and condo buildings ( printable posters for building managers ).

When is a face covering not required?

A face covering is not required when you are:

• Actively eating or drinking
• Receiving dental services, shaving, or facial treatments or receiving another service requiring access to your face, mouth, head
• Swimming or engaged in another physical activity where the use of a face covering would pose a bona fide safety risk
• Under the age of 18 and are engaged in vigorous sports – as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
• Unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability, or are physically unable to remove a face covering
• Unable to wear a wearing a face covering because it impedes communication by, or with, persons who have a hearing impairment or other disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication  
• At work and the equipment required for the job does not enable you to wear a face covering or wearing a face covering would endanger public safety 
• When you are alone in your office or vehicle

What about children?

Children over the age of 2 are required to wear a face covering unless there is a developmental or physical reason why the child should not.

Children may be more likely to touch their face covering, so parents and caretakers should wash children's hands or apply hand sanitizer often.

What if I have a health problem that makes it difficult to wear a face covering?

If you have a health issue that makes it difficult to wear a face covering, you are not required to wear one but this makes it very important that you practice physical distancing and hand hygiene.

Must the face covering cover my nose?

A face covering is fitted properly when it covers your nose, mouth, and chin. Do not use a face covering with an exhalation valve because it allows unfiltered air that you exhale to escape.