Skip to main content

COVID-19 Status Update for 03/24/2023

Marin County COVID-19 Status Update for March 03, 2023, includes CDPH Announces New COVID-19 Guidance; Marin Team’s Manuscript; Friendly Reminder: Renew Medi-Cal Coverage; Update CalFresh Information to Ensure… Read More

Masks and Face Coverings

Content

Para leer esta página en español, desplácese hacia arriba y haga clic en el enlace que dice "Translate" (Traducir) y elija "Spanish" (español).

COVID-19 can easily spread between people who are in close contact with one another. Wearing a mask is an important tool in our fight against COVID-19. A high-quality mask along with vaccination, testing, and physical distancing helps protect you and others by reducing the chance of spreading COVID-19.

Presently, there is no local masking mandate in Marin County, however California masking guidelines remain in effect.

Everyone must wear masks in the following settings, regardless of vaccination status:    

  • Healthcare Settings
  • Long-Term Care Settings and Adult Senior Care Facilities

 


Know Your COVID-19 Community Level.

COVID-19 Community Levels are a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps to take based on the latest data. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area.

Us the CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels to understand which prevention behaviors to use and when (at all times or specific times) based upon your own risk for severe illness and those within your household.

  • HIGH: Wear a mask indoors in public.
  • MEDIUM: Wear a mask if you or someone in your household is at high risk for severe illness.
  • LOW: Wear a mask based on your personal preference.

Remember, people may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask regardless of the COVID-19 Community Level. 


Masking is a Healthy Choice

  • Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat)
  • Wear a mask if you have tested positive for COVID-19
  • Wear a mask if you had a close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

Masking is a Healthy Choice (English Signage)Download your copy of "Masking is a Healthy Choice" Flyer (English & Español)Masking is a Healthy Choice (Spanish Signage)

Masks are strongly recommended in:

  • Emergency shelters and heating/cooling centers
  • Jails and prisons
  • Homeless shelters
  • Public transit, stations, terminals, and airports
  • Indoor public settings
  • K-12 schools
  • Childcare facilities

 


Upgrade Your Mask

An effective mask has both good fit and good filtration. Good fit and good filtration improve protection of others if you are infected and protection for you if you are exposed to an infected person.

Best mask N95. Next level KF94/KN95, and surgical with cloth. Followed by surgical masks. Cloth masks provide fair protection.

Most effective (Best):

  • N95

More effective (Better):

  • KF94
  • KN95
  • Double mask
    • Wear two masks (disposable mask underneath AND cloth mask on top)

Effective (Good):

  • Well-fitting surgical mask

Least effective (Fair):

  • Cloth mask

    • It should fit snugly and have at least 3 or more layers
    • A cloth mask is better than no mask

Whatever mask you wear, make sure it fits to your face closely and without gaps.


Wear Your Mask Correctly

  • Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin
  • Try to fit it snugly against the sides of your face
  • Make sure you can breathe easily
  • A face covering can be made of cloth, fabric, or other breathable material, but it should not have holes

how to wear a mask correctly

 


Masks in the Workplace

Employers and employees are subject to either the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations or the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (PDF) standard and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.

In addition, businesses may elect to implement indoor face covering policies that are stricter than current CDPH masking guidelines (e.g., requiring all patrons and employees to wear a mask). 

More Information: