LAC | DPH | Mask Wearing Rules and Recommendations

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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 This guidance is for the general public in indoor public settings.

REQUIREMENTS
When the level is LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH, you MUST wear a mask: If it is required by the site, including some businesses, health facilities, schools, and workplaces. If it is required by Public Health for managing an outbreak, including in workplaces and congregate settings. If you have COVID-19 and must be around others until you end isolation. This includes when you are at home. If you are eligible to end isolation, you must continue to wear a mask around others from Day 6 through Day 10. The exception is that if you have two negative COVID-19 tests in a row that were taken at least a day apart, you do not need to wear a mask. Follow all the isolation instructions at ph.lacounty.gov/covidisolation. Note that if you are returning to the workplace after a COVID-19 infection you are required to mask around others through Day 10 per Cal/OSHA. Workers must follow masking rules in the workplace.
RECOMMENDATIONS
THE LEVEL IS CURRENTLY LOW, so it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you wear a mask indoors: (unless required – see above) If you are a close contact to someone with COVID-19 for 10 days from the last day that you were exposed. This is especially important when around those at higher risk for severe COVID-19 disease. Follow all the instructions for close contacts at ph.lacounty.gov/covidcontacts. If you have any respiratory symptoms (such as a cough, runny nose, sore throat) and you need to be around others. In healthcare settings, when visiting or receiving care. On public transit and in transportation hubs (See CDC’s Masking During Travel guidance.) 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.

If the local COVID-19 impact level increases, then mask wearing becomes increasingly important.

When the level increases to MEDIUM
If you are at risk for severe illness, wear your most protective mask, such as a N95, KN95, or KF94 respirator, when you are indoors in public. This is especially important when you are in crowded or poorly ventilated places. If you share a home or spend time with someone who is at risk for severe illness, wear a mask when you are indoors with them. Also, consider taking a COVID-19 self-test before you see them.
When the level increases to HIGH
Everyone should wear a mask when indoors in public. If you are at risk for severe illness consider avoiding spending time indoors in public, unless it is essential. If you do spend time indoors in public, wear your most protective mask, such as a N95, KN95, or KF94 respirator. This is especially important when you are in crowded or poorly ventilated places. If you share a home or spend time with someone who is at risk for severe illness, wear a mask when you are indoors with them. Also, consider taking a COVID-19 self-test before you see them.

WORKERS

Workers must follow masking rules in the workplace.

Healthcare and Direct Care settings: Workers in healthcare facilities and direct care settings are required by the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order to wear a mask when they are providing care or working in-person with patients, clients, and residents. They are also required to wear a mask in patient care areas when patients, clients, or residents are present. See the order for more details.

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:

Workers who are returning to work after having COVID-19 infection are required to wear a mask around others through Day 10. See Cal/OSHA FAQs: Exclusion Requirements for Employees Who Test Positive.
If there is an outbreak in a workplace, all exposed employees are required to wear a mask when indoors, or when outdoors and less than six feet from another person for 10 days after last exposure. See Cal/OSHA FAQs: Outbreaks.

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.