Employment Law Bulletin | August 2, 2021

Sonoma County Public Health Officer Orders “Masks Back On” Indoors Regardless of Vaccination Status

Today, the Sonoma County Public Health Officer issued Order C19-25 requiring all individuals to wear masks covering the mouth and nose, regardless of vaccination status, in indoor public settings.  The mandate takes effect on August 3, 2021, at 12:01 a.m.

The Order covers all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and workplaces, including, but not limited to: offices, retail stores, restaurants, bars, theaters, family entertainment centers, conference centers, schools, daycares, and State and local government offices serving the public.

The Order requires businesses to:

• require all employees, contractors, visitors, and patrons to wear face coverings for all indoor settings, regardless of their vaccination status; and
• post clearly visible and easy-to-read signage at all entry points for indoor settings to communicate the masking requirements to all patrons.

Masks are not required for those persons:

• working alone in a closed office or room;
• actively eating and/or drinking;
• swimming or showering in a fitness facility;
• obtaining a medical or cosmetic service involving the head or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service; and
• specifically exempted from wearing face coverings pursuant to other California Department of Public Health guidance.

Public Health Officers in Other Northern California Areas Issue Similar Mask Orders

Public Health Officers in the following counties also issued orders requiring individuals to wear masks indoors in public places regardless of vaccination status:  Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and the City of Berkeley.  Each agency’s order can be found by clicking on the links.

Contact an SMT employment law attorney if you have questions about these new requirements or if we can be of assistance with any other workplace issues.

Lisa Ann Hilario

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Spaulding McCullough & Tansil LLP
Employment Law Group

Jan Gabrielson Tansil  | Lisa Ann Hilario | Kari Brown