LA Mayor requires Face Masks for all Essential workers; Enables businesses to deny unprotected patrons

A security guard at CVS in Pasadena, Calif., surveys the parking lot on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. While many Americans have been laid off or furloughed due to the coronavirus, those that cannot self-isolate have been forced to adapt to the times. (Michael Goldsmith / The Corsair)

Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti ordered most essential workers, patrons and guests to wear protective face coverings or masks in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

The order, which goes into effect on Friday at midnight, discourages people from wearing medical grade masks such as the N-95, instead stating that cloths, bandanas, and most other coverings over noses and mouths would be sufficient. Combined with an earlier directive requiring the public to wear masks outdoors, this new decree effectively mandates that masks be worn anywhere outside the home.

“Cover up, save a life — it’s that simple,” Garcetti said.

The order also requires all employers to enforce social distancing, keep restrooms sanitized, pay for the masks, and allow employees to take breaks to sanitize their hands every 30 minutes without penalty.

In addition, the order also commands customers to don the same face coverings, authorizing establishments to turn patrons away if they don’t comply. 

The order highly recommends that employers take additional steps to protecting their employees against the spread of the coronavirus, including creating plexiglass barriers between customers and employees, something Garcetti emphasized in the press conference.

The directive comes after the United States saw 1,632 deaths in the preceding 24 hours from COVID-19, the highest number to date. In Los Angeles, confirmed cases rose by 550 or 9%, along with an additional 22 deaths. 

The order is the latest among other measures taken by the city of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County in fighting the coronavirus including the closure of all non-essential businesses and of Los Angeles County beaches. 

In recent days, both the city, state and federal governments have put an emphasis on homemade masks and face-coverings. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially recommended that all Americans wear masks when in public. In an earlier press conference, Mayor Garcetti pleaded with residents to not actively search for medical grade and N-95 masks, citing the short supply of personal protective equipment for medical and emergency workers. 

The purposes of the different masks are also different, with the N-95’s focused on actively protecting the user from getting the virus, and other face coverings being for combating the spread from already infected persons.   

The sudden need for homemade masks has seen a large response from the public both online and in person, manifested through viral mask creation tutorial videos, and mask giveaways. “We wanted to wait till these were available,” said Garcetti, “We can see people now selling them on corners, online – our capacity thanks to the amazing apparel industry has expanded.”

The mayor’s decision came the same day that the Los Angeles City Council discussed passing a similar measure, a move led by Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz.

Around California, several municipalities have already decided to follow suit or are considering doing so, including the cities of Lancaster, Carson, and Riverside county.