Face mask rules in every state

June 26, 2020
Updated on July 22, 2020
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Face mask rules in every state

Following months of stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns due to the novel coronavirus, various regions in the United States on May 1 began the first phase of reopening. By May 20, . But just a month later, reversed course on their reopenings as COVID-19 cases skyrocketed. July 19 represented the fifth consecutive day that . Amid these bleak numbers, many businesses and governing bodies across the U.S. are reconsidering rules for safe reopening.

At the center of this controversy is a debate over whether to mandate face coverings. The CDC in public places in order to help slow the spread of COVID-19; and a Texas A&M University study released June 12 found that . Despite these findings, a nationwide decision has not been made and rule-setting has been left up to individual states, counties, or cities.

In Georgia, on July 16 sued in order to prevent Atlanta's Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms from requiring city residents to wear face masks in public to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Meanwhile, on July 20 tweeted a photo of himself wearing a mask, claiming "There is nobody more patriotic than me, your favorite President!" Also in July, with 9,000 members for disseminating debunked claims about the efficacy of masks and their ill effects on mental health and personal freedoms.

麻豆原创 scoured various state government reports and reputable news sources to pull together the most up-to-date information about face mask rules in all 50 states. All information is current as of July 22, 2020, and represents a number of changes in the last month alone.

Read on to find out whether or not face coverings are just a recommendation or mandate where you live.

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Alabama

Alabama on July 14 issued a statewide mask mandate for Alabama that would be in effect until at least July 31. That rule calls for all people to wear masks in public and when within close proximity to other people.

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Alaska

The Juneau Assembly on June 20 voted unanimously in favor of a 90-day . That order was modeled after a similar rule passed as an emergency ordinance in Anchorage. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has but despite rising case counts.

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Arizona

In a study from the website , more than 150,000 geotagged Twitter data and hashtags were used to determine which states are most resistant to mask-wearing. Arizona ranked #1. Yet the state鈥檚 emboldened stance around closures and safety precautions has a growing consequence: As case counts continue to climb, at the same time relief programs are slated to end. There is still no state mandate for mask-wearing. By July 21, Arizona had and 2,918 deaths.

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Arkansas

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson put forth a . That order makes mask-wearing compulsory in any indoor or outdoor setting where six feet of social distancing can not be maintained. The order gives an .

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California

California has taken one of the strictest approaches in the country to face mask regulations. . It states that residents must wear face coverings when visiting indoor public spaces, including hospitals, pharmacies, doctors' offices, and on public transportation; in lines to enter places; and in any outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible.

Exemptions to the mandate apply to those with underlying chronic lung disease, asthma, and those who have "developmental disabilities or intellectual delays," per .

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Colorado

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in mid-April made it a requirement that employees at grocery stores and other essential businesses wear face masks, but stopped short of expanding that requirement to the public. That changed July 16 when Polis following a rise in COVID-19 cases in Colorado.

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Connecticut

Gov. Ned Lamont issued effective on April 20 that required residents to wear a face mask in public. It exempts children under the age of 2. Connecticut has banded together with New York and New Jersey in a June 21 travel advisory that as of July 21 requires to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival.

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Delaware

Delaware Gov. John Carney issued an executive order that as of May 1, . He also clarified that the face mask ordinance was not to encourage people to go out in public more often, but if it is necessary to do so, a face mask must be worn.

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Florida

Florida does not have a statewide requirement regarding face masks. But by June 21, as state COVID-19 cases continued setting new daily records, many local municipalities began implementing their own as . In in public. have followed suit.

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Georgia

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, along with state health officials, , but there is no statewide requirement for the general public. In fact, Kemp on July 16 sued in order to prevent Atlanta's Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms from to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

 

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Hawaii

An April 17 ruling from Gov. David Ige . The entire island of as of July 3.

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Idaho

As of press time, the state of Idaho was still in Stage 4 of its reopening. but not required; put out a public request for people throughout the state to wear masks to slow the spread of coronavirus as hospitals there become overwhelmed.

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Illinois

The state of Illinois on May 1 issued a requirement to wear a mask in public wherever social distancing is not possible. According to Illinois Policy, before Gov. J.B. Pritzker's policy announcement, but now the mandate is statewide.

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Indiana

While Indiana requires face coverings for restaurant employees and personal care service employees, masks are only . The recommendation from the Indiana State Department of Health went into place on April 5. Meanwhile, individual counties鈥攊ncluding , , and 鈥攁long with dozens of private businesses throughout the state require face masks.

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Iowa

All of Iowa's 99 counties have reopened restaurants and other businesses and the Iowa Department of Public Health requires masks for employees and customers if social distancing is not possible. Masks are recommended in the state but are not required; in contradiction to Gov. Kim Reynolds, who ordered that local officials could not require mask-wearing.

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Kansas

on July 3 enacted a statewide face mask mandate. The governor on July 20 released information on a further mandate that would this fall.

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Kentucky

. Restaurant customers are required to except for while seated.

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Louisiana

Louisiana on July 13 . Parishes with fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 people are able to .

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Maine

Maine Gov. Janet Mills on April 29 that required face masks in public spaces where social distancing was impossible. The rule was to mandate face coverings at outdoor bars, big retail locations, tasting rooms, and businesses that offer overnight lodging. The counties of Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland, and York are all subject to the mandate, as are cities including Auburn, Bangor, Brewer, and Lewiston.

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Maryland

With coronavirus cases rising throughout Maryland and a state positivity rate of 4.49%, Baltimore County announced face coverings would be required at all indoor locations, including indoor recreation centers and houses of worship, starting July 23. Face mask rules vary by county and city; however, Maryland's Gov. Larry Hogan has since April 18 on all Maryland public transit.

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Massachusetts

An order from Gov. Charles Baker for the general public to use face masks starting May 6 in indoor and outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible. The state entered the second step of Phase 2 of its reopening on June 22.

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Michigan

As of June 18, the state of Michigan put into effect a requirement for all residents to wear face masks in all public settings. The rule also gives businesses the right to refuse individuals who are not covered.

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Minnesota

The state of Minnesota requires workers at retailers, bars, restaurants, and personal care service establishments to wear masks. There is for wearing masks, however, a growing number of cities throughout the state have over the summer begun mandating face coverings.

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Mississippi

In Mississippi, in all businesses in Claiborne, De Soto, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Quitman, Rankin, Sunflower, Washington, and Wayne counties. Workers at restaurants and bars throughout the state who interact with customers must also wear face coverings. Personal-care workers and clients and gym staff are also mandated to wear masks. It is recommended, though not required, that Mississippians wear face coverings while out in public.

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Missouri

Gov. Mike Parson has refused to make face masks mandatory in the state of Missouri, saying to make this decision for the people. More than 34,000 since March.

 

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Montana

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock on July 15 issued a in counties with four or more active COVID-19 cases. The rule applies to various indoor and outdoor settings and .

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Nebraska

Gov. Pete Ricketts , and has said mandates to wear face coverings represent a . Ricketts has further told local governments they will not get COVID-19 relief funding if they make mask-wearing a requirement in government buildings. Lancaster County has among the highest cases in Nebraska and , including masks for restaurant employees; the city of in most of its indoor spaces.

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Nevada

Gov. Steve Sisolak on June 24 made it in Nevada for anyone older than 9. The move came after four straight weeks of increasing COVID-19 case counts.

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New Hampshire

As of July 21, 400 people had while case counts reached 6,262. The state has no mandate for universal mask-wearing but does require employees at retailers, restaurants, golf courses, and personal care facilities to don cloth face coverings. Other employees and members of the public are strongly encouraged to wear masks; Gov. Chris Sununu on July 21 announced a public service .

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New Jersey

New Jersey was the first state to require customers and employees to wear face masks at essential businesses and construction sites. The mandate went into effect on April 8. Commuters on New Jersey's public transportation system are all required to wear face coverings, as well. to apply to people picking up take-out.

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New Mexico

A May 15 in New Mexico requires face masks or cloth coverings in all public settings unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. To mitigate rising COVID-19 case counts in the state, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on July 1 announced that New Mexico would more rigorously , including by instituting a $100 fine for those who do not follow guidelines.

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New York

New York's Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed on April 15 that made face masks in public mandatory wherever social distancing isn't possible. All employers are additionally required to provide workers with face coverings.

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North Carolina

on June 29 enacted an executive order requiring face masks in public. There are several exceptions, including people who are actively eating, drinking, or exercising, as well as those with documented medical conditions that would make mask-wearing difficult or dangerous.

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North Dakota

North Dakota鈥檚 government recommends masks in public, saying employees and the general public should wear face coverings. Employers are also encouraged to have face masks in the workplace. There is no mandate, however. are required to wear masks.

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Ohio

Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio on April 27 said face masks would be required while shopping at retail stores; the backlash to his remarks led to him just a day later. An order enacted living in an counties with heightened case counts (classified as ) is required to wear a face mask while out.

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Oklahoma

There are various mask-wearing mandates in parts of Oklahoma, including in . Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has not issued any statewide requirements.

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Oregon

Throughout in any public setting where social distancing of at least 6 feet is impossible. throughout Oregon in all indoor spaces since July 1.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Department of Health on April 19 requiring essential business employees and customers to wear masks, and that those businesses provide masks to employees. There is also a stipulating anyone older than 2 must wear face coverings anywhere social-distancing is impossible.

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Rhode Island

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo on May 8 made face masks mandatory for all residents while in public settings. .

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South Carolina

There is no statewide mandate requiring South Carolinians to wear masks in public. That said, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control . , including places like and , have set their own mask rules with various emergency ordinances.

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South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Health has a recommendation, not a mandate, that residents wear masks in public. Several South Dakotans have by placing surgical masks on the bronze statues that represent South Dakota's past governors.

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Tennessee

Gov. Bill Lee on July 3 granted for the public. The state has also given service for customers who are not wearing face masks. The state as of July 21 had recorded .

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Texas

An April 28 announcement from Gov. Greg Abbott recommended that all residents cover their faces in public, . As cases spiked in Texas, Abbott on July 2 mandated that masks be worn in most counties.

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Utah

Salt Lake City instituted a on June 26; by July 21, COVID-19 cases were markedly down throughout the city. Throughout the state, health officials stand by the line that masks are highly recommended. They are not required, however. At a June 17 press conference, state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn said that .

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Vermont

For the majority of the public health emergency, Gov. Phil Scott's executive orders encouraged but did not require face masks. As of June 17, , including Burlington, Brattleboro, South Burlington, Montpelier, and Wilmington. Scott on July 21 said in a press conference that should case counts continue to rise, the state would .

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Virginia

Virginians as of May 26 were required to start covering their faces in public settings, per a mandate from Gov. Ralph Northam. , according to the ordinance.

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Washington

starting June 26 anytime they are out. The ruling came as case counts ballooned throughout Washington.

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Washington D.C.

Mayor Muriel Bowser on May 16 made when traveling, conducting business, shopping, and picking up takeout in Washington, D.C. Masks are also required on public transportation if individuals cannot be six feet apart.

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West Virginia

On July 6, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice making masks required indoors. All state residents nine years of age and older must wear masks in indoor public places when they cannot remain six feet apart. The requirement does not apply, however, when eating inside a restaurant, nor does it apply in outdoor spaces.

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Wisconsin

Wisconsin is one of four states . They still remain only a recommendation. But several counties and cities have issued mandates of their own; , which requires face coverings in all indoor public spaces and outside when maintaining distance is impossible, went into effect on July 16.

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Wyoming

On April 6, the Wyoming Department of Health encouraged the use of face masks but stopped short of making it a statewide mandate. The state department echoed the CDC's recommendation but still called it .

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