Face masks become the law in the greater LA area as COVID-19 deaths mount They're recommended but not required in the Northern Calif., with 1 exception

Dressmaker Flor Hernandez sells face masks on street after losing her job, during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, in Los Angeles on April 2, 2020. Los Angeles County has made wearing masks mandatory for anyone entering an essential business. less Dressmaker Flor Hernandez sells face masks on street after losing her job, during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, in Los Angeles on April 2, 2020. Los Angeles County has made wearing masks mandatory ... more Photo: APU GOMES/AFP Via Getty Images Photo: APU GOMES/AFP Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 47 Caption Close Face masks become the law in the greater LA area as COVID-19 deaths mount 1 / 47 Back to Gallery

California does not mandate the wearing of facial coverings in public. It simply says there may be a benefit in doing so, especially against asymptomatic transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

But some of the state’s counties and cities, especially in Southern California, have decided that guidance is not tough enough. Death tolls from COVID-19 in the greater Los Angeles region have been rising faster than the Bay Area, which was quicker to adopt interventions such as physical distancing and home isolation.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County recorded its most deaths in a single day, bringing the countywide toll to 402, as of 12:30 p.m.. The previous record stood for less than 24 hours.

The county’s mortality rate is 3.8%.

Riverside County, which has also seen an upswing in COVID-19 cases and deaths, was the first county to issue a mandatory face mask order. County public health officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser said too many people were not getting the message about wearing masks.

The ordinance went into effect Sunday. Residents can be fined $1,000 per day for failing to cover their face.

"This is a valid order and enforceable by fine, imprisonment or both," said Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in a Monday video statement. "However, I need to make it perfectly clear to all residents of Riverside County: We will not be setting up a police state and this is not a declaration of martial law in Riverside County."

Bianco said officers would not stopping families out on a walk or set up vehicular checkpoints, but they will be citing those who deliberately flout the order, he said.

San Bernardino County followed Riverside’s example and instituted a similar mask ordinance.

The only Bay Area county to make wearing a face mask mandatory is Sonoma County.



The directive, which was issued Monday night and goes into effect Friday, requires people to wear masks in public places with the exception of those outside who are able to maintain a 6-foot (or more) distance from other people. Also, children under the age of 2 do not need to wear masks.

Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor.

Here are other jurisdictions — all in Southern California — that have adopted mandatory facial covering regulations. Violators can be charged with misdemeanors carrying fines or even jail time.

— Los Angeles: Face-coverings are required inside essential businesses.

— Beverly Hills: Face-coverings are required for anyone leaving their home.

— Burbank: Face-coverings are required inside essential businesses.

— Carson: Face-coverings are required for anyone leaving their home. (But the city will not be fining violators until masks are more available.)

— Inglewood: Face-coverings are required inside essential businesses.

— Long Beach: Face-coverings are required inside essential businesses.

— Pasadena: Face-coverings are required inside essential businesses.

— Seal Beach: Per the Seal Beach Police Department, masks and other personal protective equipment are required for people who are out of their house or vehicle and are interacting with workers. Masks are not required while walking or exercising.

California's businesses may soon follow suit and start refusing to serve those who aren’t wearing masks. One already has: Nugget Markets, operating in the greater Sacramento metropolitan area, requires customers to cover their faces in order to shop.

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Mike Moffitt is an SFGATE Digital Reporter. Email: moffitt@sfgate.com. Twitter: @Mike_at_SFGate