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Fake Mask Exemption Cards Circulate Across SoCal
Cards purporting to exempt people from the state's mandatory mask order are fake, warned Los Angeles County health officials.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Beware of the bogus "Face Mask Exempt" cards circulating around Los Angeles, county officials warned Friday.
The cards purport to exempt people from the state and local health order requiring masks be worn in public places and where social distancing is not possible.
"These flyers and cards are NOT from a government agency and are not endorsed by the Department of Justice or any Los Angeles County department," according to the county Department of Public Health Twitter page.
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"Cloth face coverings MUST be worn anytime residents are around others not from their household, except by children under 2 and individuals with medical conditions that prevent use of a face covering," county officials said.
Health officials posted photos of the phony cards, one of which is laminated and states in bold print, "I AM EXEMPT FROM ANY ORDINANCE REQUIRING FACE MASK USAGE IN PUBLIC." The cards warn that anyone harassing the card holder could be subject to penalties of the Department of Justice and face fines of up to $150,000.
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County officials stamped the photos "FAKE."
City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.
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