Members of the public and workers at essential businesses are required to wear face coverings outside the home for certain activities and in places of business, which is intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. Face coverings need to cover the nose and mouth. By wearing a mask or cloth face covering, you can slow the spread of COVID-19.

Who needs a mask?

• Anyone going outside their home
• Workers in customer-facing industries
• Workers in offices, factories, or any group setting
• Doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals
• Other workers, as dictated by industry guidance

When should you wear a mask? You should wear a mask or face covering whenever you’ll be around someone you don’t live with, including:

• In any indoor public space
• When waiting in line
• When getting health care
• On public transportation or when ride-sharing
• At work, when near others or moving through common areas
• Outdoors, if you can’t stay six feet away from others

When can you take off your mask? There are times when it’s okay to take your mask off when you’re away from home, such as:

• When eating or drinking
• If a hearing-impaired person needs to read your lips
• If wearing a face covering imposes a risk to you at work – for example, if it could get caught in machinery
• When you’re not sharing a common area, room or enclosed space with others
• When outdoors in public and can stay six feet from others

You should replace the mask as soon as you can after these activities to reduce the risk of infection. 

Scarves, home-sewn fabric coverings, bandanas, a “DIY” mask from an old T-shirt and neck gaiters are examples of acceptable face coverings, especially because they can be washed after each use and worn again. For more information, visit the California COVID-19 masks and face coverings webpage.