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Public Notice: County of San Diego Health Order and Facial Coverings

Pala Band of Mission Indians California Pala Notice

Public Notice: County of San Diego Health Order and Facial Coverings

SAN DIEGO, CA – The County of San Diego has released an amended public health order directing employees of essential businesses to wear facial coverings. Residents are also strongly encouraged to wear facial coverings in public.

San Diego County

The County of San Diego has released an amended public health order directing employees of essential businesses to wear facial coverings. Residents are also strongly encouraged to wear facial coverings in public.

  • Residents are strongly encouraged to cover their nose and mouth when leaving home for essential activities, such as grocery shopping, getting gas, visiting convenience stores or pharmacies.
  • The cloth facial coverings don’t have to be hospital-grade but should cover the nose and mouth. Homemade masks, bandanas, scarves, and neck gaiters are acceptable since these items can be washed and reused. Facial coverings don’t need to be used when people are at home.
  • Effective Saturday, April 4, all employees of essential businesses must wear a facial covering at supermarkets, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, and pharmacies.
  • All parking lots at public parks and beaches will be closed.
  • Law enforcement agencies throughout the region will be out making sure that people who are in public are conducting essential activities and to keep people from being out in groups, especially if they are not members of the same family or household.
  • People who disobey the essential business guideline or who are in groups in public are subject to a misdemeanor ticket. Penalties can be up to a $1,000 fine or 6 months in jail.

Riverside County

Riverside County has not yet released a formal order but is also recommending that all residents wear face masks when outside their homes or when at work at essential businesses.

New public health recommendation to cover the face

Riverside County health officials are recommending residents cover their nose and mouth when leaving home for essential travel to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits.

The face coverings do not have to be hospital-grade but need to cover the nose and mouth. For example, bandanas, fabric masks and neck gaiters are acceptable. Fabric covers and bandanas can be washed and used again.

Up until now, local officials have not recommended the large-scale use of face coverings, but circumstances have changed.

“When the situation changes, the rulebook changes,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “We’re seeing our numbers increasing even sooner than we predicted and that means our strategy must change too. Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think we need to add.”

The rationale for covering one’s face comes from the belief that transmission occurs primarily through droplets from an infected individual, which fabrics can easily filter. This not only helps to reduce the risk a well person can breathe those droplets in but also protects others around someone with mild symptoms who may not yet realize they have the illness. Face covering should be worn anytime a person is outside of their home, even in offices of essential businesses.

“The numbers don’t lie and we know that coronavirus is spreading and growing. However, these numbers are actual people and protecting the lives of people is all of our responsibility,” said Board Chair V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor. “That means that flattening the curve requires another layer of aggressive protection against the virus. Please take the additional steps to cover your face.”

Health officials continue to stress that frequent hand washing, social distancing and staying home are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“Stay in your place, maintain your space and cover your face,” said Bruce Barton, director of the Riverside County Emergency Management Department.

COVID-19 Outbreak Page
Please visit the COVID-19 Outbreak Page for more information on the COVID-19 outbreak.

Pala Band of Mission Indians
For more information contact the Pala Band of Mission Indians:
760-891-3500 | www.palatribe.com

Addendum to Order of the Health Officer and Emergency Regulations (County of San Diego)

Addendum_regarding_face_coverings_and_public_parks