Sonoma County Public Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase announced today a new public health order, going into effect on Friday, requiring face coverings to be worn in a number of public circumstances. The announcement, initially made in Mase’s daily video briefing on social media, is an escalation of the county’s prior recommendation for face coverings up to an enforceable health order.

The order requires all persons to wear facial coverings before they enter any indoor facility besides their residence, as well as outdoors when they are unable to maintain a six-foot distance from another person at all times. The order also applies to employees of all essential businesses still in operation to wear facial coverings on the job. The order does not apply to a person driving along or with members of their household. Employers are not necessarily required to provide masks, but they are required to make sure an employee has access to provide their own facial covering and that the order is being correctly followed.

The order is meant to protect the public from the user of the mask in case of infection, and also not meant as a substitute for social distancing. Mase clarified that the order does not specifically specify that the coverings must be masks, such as N95 mask, rather any kind of facial covering will suffice. According the order, non-compliance could result in a fine or arrest if fully enforced.