PASADENA (CNS) - Pasadena will join the ranks of cities and counties requiring workers and customers at essential businesses to wear protective facial coverings, authorities said today.
“All workers who work at businesses or perform essential services, as defined in the order, must wear face coverings over their noses and mouths while performing their work,” Pasadena spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said. “These face coverings must be provided by the employer at the employer's expense.”
The order must be implemented by 11:59 p.m. April 15, the order said.
“This order by no means replaces the need for physical distancing and everyday hygiene precautions, such as frequent hand washing,” said Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Pasadena's Public Health Officer. “When you do need to venture out for groceries or other essentials, wearing a face covering can help reduce community spread of COVID-19, especially by those who are asymptomatic and don't even know they have the virus.”
The face masks should not be medical grade or N95 respirators reserved for healthcare professionals, Goh said. Reusable coverings should be washed daily and single-use coverings must be disposed of in trash cans.
All customers and visitors of essential visitors must also wear the face coverings, such as scarves, bandanas or other fabric masks, she said. Essential business owners may deny service to customers who aren't wearing masks.
“All employers must continue to implement social distancing measures for employees, customers and visitors that provide a six-foot buffer, to the extent possible, between individuals. Violation or failure to comply with this order is a crime punishable by fine, imprisonment or both,” Derderian said.
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