Masks and face coverings

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Wear a mask.

Wear a mask or face covering for added protection from COVID-19. Masking is one of our most powerful tools against the COVID-19 pandemic and health officials want to avoid future surges in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

When to wear a mask.

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:

Health care settings (applies to all healthcare settings, including those that are not covered by the State Health Officer Order issued on July 26, 2021)
Long-term care settings & Adult and Senior care facilities
Homeless shelters, Emergency shelters and Heating/Cooling centers
State and local correctional facilities and detention centers

Note: As a result of a court order, effective April 18, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) January 29, 2021 Order requiring masks on public transportation conveyances and at transportation hubs is no longer in effect. Therefore, CDC will not enforce the Order. CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

Effective March 12, 2022, masks are no longer required indoors in K-12 schools, childcare, and other youth settings. As of March 24, Marin County Public Health recommends that all staff and students should consider wearing a mask, especially if you or someone in your household is immunocompromised, at high risk for severe illness, or not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine due to substantial levels of community transmission in Marin County.

Schools and districts may choose to enforce their own universal face covering policies.

Strongly recommend wearing a mask when community transmission is high
Consider wearing a mask when community transmission is substantial / moderate, especially if you or someone in your household is immunocompromised, at high risk for severe illness or has not completed their primary vaccination series / up to date
Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your personal level of risk when community transmission is low

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).

Both Marin County Public Health and California Department of Public Health strongly encourage the use of masks indoors, especially for our residents who are more vulnerable to infection or more at risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.

Helpful resources:

Outdoor use:

Masks are not required outdoors but are strongly recommended in crowded environments. Everyone is also strongly encouraged to wear masks indoors at private gatherings where vaccination status cannot be confirmed.

Traveling

If you travel outside of California, remember that face coverings are required when you are:

On public transportation or waiting for it indoors (examples: airplanes, buses, trains, ferries)
Driving or riding in a taxi or rideshare vehicle (even by yourself)

Scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, or bandanas are not allowed on any public transportation (or waiting for it). This is by CDC order and applies in all U.S. States.

Masks in the workplace

Cal/OSHA has aligned workplace mask requirements with general mask guidance from the CDPH.

For more information, see Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards.

Please see current masking guidance for the State of California for masking exceptions.

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

COVID-19 Status Update for 05/20/2022