Sonoma Co. Makes Masks, Face Coverings Mandatory At Stores, Indoor Facilities During COVID-19 Pandemic
PETALUMA (CBS SF) -- Sonoma County on Monday became the first Bay Area county to require people to wear masks and facial coverings when going out in public. County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase says the county's expecting a surge in cases and wants to fight back by tightening protective measures.
This latest health order will go into effect starting on Friday.
The order from the Health Department requires people to wear a facial covering before going into an indoor facility outside of their home, any enclosed space or an outdoor space where they can't keep six feet of social distance.
Employers in essential businesses are required to see that their employees, if they're not working from home, are following the order.
Exceptions to the order include driving alone or with household members in a vehicle unless the windows are lowered to speak to a first responder or other service worker, including those at drive-through windows.
Many in the county have heard about the order and ran out to buy some masks.
"It's kind of hard to find. We went looking for it in there. We just can't find them anywhere," said Luis Pacheco from Sonoma.
The Health Department says the face covering doesn't necessarily have to be a mask and urges the public to not buy medical grade surgical or N-95 masks, which should be reserved for healthcare workers.
A facial covering could be any fabric or cloth the covers the mouth and nose.
"I think it's a great idea. We should have been doing this the entire time," said Robert Stevens from Petaluma.
Stevens already puts on his mask when he heads outdoors. He's had his supply since last October, when the Kincade Fire rampaged through the North Bay. "I had them since the fires, I stocked up then."
Those found violating the order will be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a fine, jail time or both.
As of Monday, there were 147 cases of the coronavirus in Sonoma County -- 84 active cases, 61 people who have recovered and two deaths.
