On July 28th the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) issued revised guidance for the use of masks, including recommending universal masking indoors statewide. This guidance comes on the heels of changes in the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) guidance recommending masking for indoor settings in areas with substantial and high transmission of COVID-19. The revised CDPH guidance for universal indoor masking is only a recommendation at this time. However, several counties have gone one step further and are now mandating masking indoors.

Mid-July, the County of Los Angeles issued a revised order mandating masking for public indoor settings regardless of an individual’s vaccination status. More recently, the counties of Sacramento and Yolo have issued orders mandating masking indoors.

These two counties’ orders nearly mirror each other and require that face coverings be worn, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status, in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and workplaces.

Going forward, individuals, businesses, venue operators, and others responsible for the operation of indoor public settings must:

  • Require patrons to wear face coverings for all indoor settings, regardless of their vaccination status, and
  • Post clearly visible and easy-to-read signage at all entry points for indoor settings to communicate the masking requirements to patrons.

The order indicates individuals do not need to wear a face-covering indoors in any of the following circumstances:

  • When working alone in a closed office or room,
  • When actively eating and/or drinking,
  • When swimming or showering in a fitness facility,
  • When obtaining a medical or cosmetic service involving the nose or face, or
  • If the individual is specifically exempted pursuant to CDPH guidance.

The Sacramento and Yolo County orders became effective July 30, 2021.

Several other counties, including San Diego and Riverside, are now strongly recommending, but not yet mandating, masking indoors.

Jackson Lewis will continue to track COVID-19 related statutes and ordinances around the state of California. If you have questions about masks in the workplace or related issues, contact a Jackson Lewis attorney to discuss.

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Photo of Sierra Vierra Sierra Vierra

Sierra Vierra is an associate in the Sacramento, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She represents management in civil litigation and administrative proceedings involving employment law matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, benefits, and a wide range of wage and hour issues.

Sierra Vierra is an associate in the Sacramento, California, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She represents management in civil litigation and administrative proceedings involving employment law matters, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, benefits, and a wide range of wage and hour issues. She litigates in federal and state courts, including class and representative actions, and represents employers in administrative proceedings. She also provides preventive advice and counsel on best practices.

Prior to joining Jackson Lewis, Sierra clerked for the Honorable Joe B. Brown and the Honorable John S. Bryant, United States Magistrate Judges for the Middle District of Tennessee.

While in law school, Sierra received the highest grade in 12 courses. Sierra also served as an associate editor of the University of Illinois Law Review and as the editor-in-chief and administrative law columnist for the Illinois Law Update section of the Illinois Bar Journal. She also worked as a research assistant and teaching assistant and represented clients in connection with the University of Illinois Civil Litigation Clinic.

Before entering law school, Sierra worked as a paralegal at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Office of General Counsel, where she supported civilian personnel litigation, government procurement, environmental compliance, intellectual property, Freedom of Information Act compliance, and government ethics teams.