CalWorkSafety clients are currently reporting new instances every day that their employees are testing positive for COVID-19. It is now critical to enforce face coverings at work, and to encourage those who have been in contact with someone who tests positive, to get tested themselves. Free testing is now available at many CVS locations in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego and Inland Empire counties.
California Governor, Gavin Newsom, has ordered Californians to wear face coverings in most indoor settings, including offices and many outdoor venues.
New guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) outlines when masks or cloth face coverings are required, to assist in limiting the spread of Covid-19 that is now continuing to increase currently in California.
As reported instances of Covid-19 are currently on the rise, the most important step to take is to have the cooperation and compliance of all persons to limit the spread by wearing face coverings. Unless staying at home or maintaining at least a distance of six feet away from others at ALL times, face coverings are required to protect everyone’s health.
CDPH guidance holds that people in California must wear face coverings when they are in the high-risk situations listed below:
- Inside, or in line to enter, any indoor public space
- Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank
- Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle
- Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when these situations exist:
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- Interacting in-person with any member of the public
- Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time
- Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to other
- Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities
- In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person’s own household or residence) are present and when one is unable to physically distance
Additionally, masks are required when operating a public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, or ride-share vehicle when passengers are present, and the CDPH recommends even when driving solo. Masks are also required in outdoor public spaces, if six feet of physical separation is not possible.
Exemptions
Under the guidance, a face covering is not required for the following persons:
- Persons age two years or under
- Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering
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- This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance
- Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication
- Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines
- Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service
- Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence
- Persons who are engaged in outdoor work or recreation such as swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, when alone or with household members, and when they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others
- Persons who are incarcerated
Existing guidelines regarding social distancing and frequent hand-washing remain in effect.
To ensure your business operation remains in compliance with these new California requirements, please contact us at (949) 533-3742 and one of our experienced safety and HR experts will be in touch with you right away.