Newsom orders Californians must wear face masks in public. #coronavirus #pandemic #covid19

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered all Californians to wear face coverings while in public or high-risk settings, including when shopping, taking public transit or seeking medical care, following growing concerns that an increase in coronavirus cases has been caused by residents failing to voluntarily take that precaution.

The new rules require face coverings when people are riding in taxis and rideshare cars, taking public transit, standing in line to enter a building or walking through common areas like hallways, stairways, elevators and parking garages.It also requires masks for people working in a building visited by the public even if no other people are present and at all locations where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution.

“Science shows that face coverings and masks work,” Newsom said in a written statement. “They are critical to keeping those who are around you safe, keeping businesses open and restarting our economy.”