The California Department of Public Health is requiring people to wear face coverings in broadly defined “high-risk situations” statewide, effective June 18, 2020. High-risk situations that apply to workers (whether at a regular workplace or performing work off-site) include:
- In-person interactions with members of the public;
- Working in any space visited by members of the public, even if no one from the public is present;
- Working in any area where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;
- Walking in or through common areas (such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking lots); and
- Being in any room or enclosed area where people who aren’t in the employee’s own household are unable to physically distance themselves.
Additional high-risk situations include personal activities such as being inside any indoor public space, obtaining health care, riding on public transportation, driving a ride-sharing vehicle, or being outdoors in public spaces where it isn’t feasible to keep 6 feet apart from non-household members. The guidance provides exceptions, such as for people with medical conditions that prevent them from using a face covering.
Tips: Additional guidance is available on the Masks webpage of the state’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) website. Questions on whether your employees must wear a cloth face covering at work? Contact your Vigilant safety professional.
