FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2020
BUTTE COUNTY SUPPORTS FACE COVERING REQUIREMENT,
ASKING FOR VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued guidance for the use of face coverings on June 18, 2020 that mandates everyone in California wear face coverings in high-risk settings, which include:
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In any indoor public space
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When waiting in line
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When getting health care
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On public transportation or when ride-sharing
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At work, when moving through common areas such as hallways
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At work, when sharing common areas or a room or enclosed area with others (unless you are required to wear a surgical mask or respirator)
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While outdoors in public spaces, if you can’t stay at least 6 feet away from others
Butte County supports the use of face coverings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the Board of Supervisors, Sheriff Kory Honea, CAO Shari McCracken, and Public Health Director Danette York encourage residents to follow the State’s guidance.
While the State mandates that people in California wear face coverings, it does not provide specific information about enforcement. The State continues to rely on the public’s voluntary compliance throughout its response to COVID-19.
The County encourages residents to comply with the State’s guidance and asks for voluntary compliance. Citing or arresting people for not wearing a face covering, who do not have lab-confirmed COVID-19, is not practical or possible given limited local resources.
Businesses are responsible for reviewing the State’s orders and guidelines regularly. If you visit a business and feel they are not in compliance, you may choose not to do business with them. Your choice of where you spend your money is one of the strongest enforcement tools available.
Additionally, there are a number of exemptions to the State’s guidance and one can never know what applies to a specific individual. If you see people in public who are not wearing a face covering you cannot assume they are being non-compliant.
A growing body of scientific research has shown that people with no or few symptoms of COVID-19 can still spread the disease and that the use of face coverings, combined with physical distancing and frequent hand washing, will reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Residents should continue to take prevention actions to stop and slow the spread of COVID-19, including:
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Wash your hands often
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Maintain social distancing of at least six feet
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Stay home if you are sick
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Avoid touching your face
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Limit non-essential travel
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Avoid gatherings
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Avoid sick people
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Wear a face covering when in high-risk settings
For businesses in Butte County, the CDPH face covering guidance appears to give direction requiring customers to wear a face covering when entering a business. Businesses may enact this requirement, but must allow the following exemptions for those who should not wear a face covering:
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Children under 2 years old
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Anyone with respiratory issues where it would impede their breathing
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Anyone unable to remove the mask without help