CALIFORNIA — As coronavirus cases in California skyrocketed in November, public health officials “sounded the alarm” Monday, revising several safety guidelines. Californians, according to an expanded mandate, must now wear face coverings at all times when outside their homes.
The new mandate replaced a less restrictive order, published in June, that only required a face covering when in high-risk situations such as shopping, seeking medical care or using public transportation.
While there are a few exceptions, anyone stepping outside their door must have a mask on hand and be ready to wear it, unless they are alone in a car, six feet away from others not in their household, or are actively eating or drinking, while maintaining a distance.
But children under two years old or those with a particular medical condition or other health-related disability or condition remain exempt from the mandate.
The new mandate is one of the
