Help keep Sonoma safe! Always carry a cloth face covering with you when you leave home. Have it visible at all times, and put it on when others are nearby.
Many people with COVID-19 have no symptoms, but they can still infect others. Wearing a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth helps prevent unknowing carriers from spreading the disease.
When to wear a face covering
Everyone over the age of 2* is required to wear a face covering when outside your home by the State of California. Wear a face covering when you are:
- Shopping at a store
- Inside any workplace, either as an employee, customer, or visitor
- During outdoor dining, at all times other than when you are actively eating or drinking
- Walking outside and you see someone approaching
- Using or waiting for public transportation
- In a taxi or rideshare
Wearing a face covering in these settings isn’t just polite, it’s the law. Those who do not wear a face covering as required by public health orders can be fined $100.
When you are walking, running, or biking outside and see someone at a distance, put on your face covering. This way your nose and mouth will be covered by the time you get close to them.
When you don’t have to cover your face
Face coverings are not required when you are:
- At home, only with members of your household, and assuming everyone is healthy
- In a car alone or exclusively with members of your household
- Sitting or standing with people you live with (such as picnicking outside) and you are more than 6 feet away from others
- Outside and not within 6 feet (at least!) of anyone you don’t live with
When outside alone or with members of your household, you should still have a face covering with you. It should be visible and readily accessible when you’re exercising, like hanging around your neck.
Wear your face covering correctly
Face coverings are only effective if they are worn properly.
- Choose a mask that covers your nose and mouth, goes under your chin, and fits snugly against the sides of your face
- Do not wear the mask below your nose
- Do not remove your mask to speak
- Be sure to wash your hands before putting on a mask
- Do not touch the mask when wearing it
Thank you for your continued efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Find more information on how to make, wear and wash masks on the CDC website.
*Please note that some individuals are exempt from wearing a face covering. You can find the complete list here.