Employees and customers are required to wear face coverings by law, starting April 16.
Last week, L.A.’s “safer-at-home” order was extended with a few amendments. While essential businesses will remain open, it will now be mandatory for customers and employees to wear face coverings in L.A. County, starting April 16.
If you are going to a grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store or other essential retailers, you will need to wear a face covering. Business owners may refuse entry to any customers that fail to comply.
The order spans “organizations and businesses that provide food, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals.”
It also includes services such as ride-sharing, plumbers, property managers, grocery delivery and counseling.
Effective tonight at midnight, essential businesses in LA County will be required to provide cloth face coverings to employees, as well as post physical distancing plans for the public.
Patrons of essential businesses must also wear face coverings.#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Bzpq5DUxb3
— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) April 16, 2020
Business owners will be responsible for providing employees with the coverings and sanitizers or for reimbursing employees if they have purchased their own. Failure to do so may result in fines.
The order notes that medical-grade masks are not readily available at this time. However, residents will still be required to use fabric coverings, such as scarves and bandanas. Supervisor Kathryn Barger even suggested an old shirt in a Twitter post.
Starting tomorrow, it’s mandatory to wear a face covering when you go to an essential business, including grocery shopping or going to a medical appointment. You can make your own mask or use a scarf, bandana, or old shirt. Thanks for keeping yourself and your community safe! pic.twitter.com/05j3cRgyZv
— Supervisor Kathryn Barger (@kathrynbarger) April 14, 2020
“All essential, non-medical workers required to wear these face coverings must frequently (at least once a day) wash any reusable face coverings, for the health and safety of themselves and others. Single-use face coverings must be properly discarded into trash receptacles,” the order states.
Cloth face covering care instructions:
-Wash after each use, or at least daily
-Store in separate bag or bin until you can wash with detergent & hot water; dry on hot cycle
-If you must re-wear before washing, wash hands immediately after putting it on; avoid touching your face pic.twitter.com/6zYd9OKFuM— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) April 15, 2020
The above Twitter post, by Los Angeles County, provides instructions on how to safely reuse face coverings with some indication on how to create your own mask at home. Additionally, you can learn how to make your own one here.
Features image: Anna Shvets