The Los Angeles County requirements and recommendations for wearing masks in public indoor settings depend on the COVID-19 impact level, which is determined by how many people are newly hospitalized due to COVID-19 in the County. This level is reported weekly as the COVID-19 Hospital Admissions Level by the CDC. The current impact level is LOW.
For a mask to work well, it needs to have both a good fit and good filtration. While all masks provide some level of protection, well-fitting respirators (such as N95, KN95, and KF94) provide the best protection. There are some people who should not wear a mask, such as children younger than 2. People with communication difficulties or certain disabilities may need special considerations.
RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INDOOR PUBLIC SPACES |
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REQUIREMENTS |
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When the level is LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH, you MUST wear a mask:
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RECOMMENDATIONS |
THE LEVEL IS CURRENTLY LOW, so it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you wear a mask indoors: (unless required – see above)
In all other settings, you are encouraged to choose to wear a mask based on your preference and personal risk. |
**No one can be prevented from wearing a mask to participate in an activity or enter a business.** |
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When the level increases to MEDIUM |
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When the level increases to HIGH |
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Workers must follow masking rules in the workplace.
Healthcare and Direct Care settings: Workers in healthcare facilities and direct care settings are strongly recommended to wear a mask when they are providing care or working in-person with patients, clients, and residents.
Other workplace settings, employers may choose to require workers and visitors to wear masks.
Cal/OSHA Employers are required to follow the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention – Non-Emergency Regulations or, in some workplaces, the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard. Cal/OSHA has more protective masking rules for workers in certain situations. Examples include:
Review the Cal/OSHA links above for more information on the COVID-19 Prevention regulations.
When workers are not required to wear a mask, employers must allow workers to wear a mask if they want to, unless it would create a safety hazard, such as interfering with the safe operation of equipment. See Cal/OSHA FAQs: Face Coverings.
For a mask to work well, it needs to have both a good fit and good filtration:
The best mask has a high-quality filter, fits well against your face, and is comfortable enough for you to wear consistently.
For the best protection, wear a well-fitting respirator. If you can’t use a respirator, you can make your mask work better by improving the fit and filtration.
* Some cloth masks are designed with specialized filter/layers and are tested to demonstrate that they perform at a consistent level. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has set a standard (ASTM F3502-21) for barrier face coverings, including cloth ("reusable") masks. The most protective ASTM F3502-21 performance level masks have a particulate filtration efficiency of at least 95%. ASTM F3502-21 performance level ratings for some commercially available face masks are published on the CDC/NIOSH website Barrier Face Coverings and Workplace Performance/Performance Plus Masks. If you are considering purchasing a cloth mask, look for ones with high performance level (≥95% particulate filtration efficiency) and that have been tested by an accredited third-party laboratory.
For detailed information on different types of masks visit:
Important notes:
Tips to check that your mask fits
The following people should not wear a mask:
For more information on masks and people with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing, see CDC masks-special considerations sections
CDC and CA State mask guidance websites
Additional resources