Coronavirus: Face Coverings Required At Santa Monica Businesses

SANTA MONICA, CA — Face coverings are now required at all Santa Monica businesses, the city of Santa Monica announced this week in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Shoppers and employees must wear face coverings or masks, according to the city, which issued a supplemental order to the local emergency due to the COVID-19 crisis. The order is effective Friday and will remain in effect through April 30.

The following are options to wear and use to cover both your mouth and nose:

• Face coverings or a scarf (dense fabric, without holes)
• Bandana
• Mask or covering made of cloth or other fabric
• Neck gaiter

Single-use face coverings should be thrown in the trash after being worn. Medical-grade face masks are not part of this definition and should be limited to use by health care and essential service workers, according to the city.

Santa Monica residents are encouraged but not required to wear face coverings or masks whenever they leave their homes to shop for essential items, which is part of the governor's stay-at-home order and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Safer at Home Order.

“We are acting in collaboration with cities throughout the county to flatten the curve and protect our residents, businesses and workforce,” said City Manager and Director of Emergency Services Rick Cole. “It’s best to stay home this week, but if you have to visit an essential business, it is essential to cover your face to protect lives.”

Santa Monica's covered-business orders are enforceable for the Santa Monica Police Department. Covered businesses include essential businesses such as grocery stores, farmers markets, hardware stores, laundromats, restaurants or other facilities that serve food, hotels, airlines and taxis.

Individuals who don't follow the new face covering requirement may be fined, including $100 for a first violation, followed by $250 for a second violation, then $500 for a third violation, according to the order. For businesses, first, second and third and subsequent violations could result in fines of $500, $750 and $1,000, respectively.

This latest requirement in Santa Monica follows Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti's local order to protect workers starting on Friday.

I’m executing a Worker Protection Order: starting Friday, April 10th, employees & customers at many non-medical essential businesses such as grocery stores will be required to wear face coverings to take care of those who are taking care of us. More info: https://t.co/lbT15nJO5z
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) April 8, 2020