Face Covering Guidance

Guidance for Individuals From the California Department of Public Health

Effective April 3, 2023, ​the updated masking guidance is intended to provide information that each Californian should consider based on their unique circumstances. The updated guidance is unchanged for general community settings and continues to use a framework based on the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels. The updated guidance replaces mandatory masking requirements in high-risk settings with recommendations, which are also based on the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels​. 

Regardless of the COVID-19 community levels, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends: 

  • Wear a mask around others if you have respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, runny nose, and/or sore throat).
  • Consider wearing a mask in indoor areas of public transportation (such as in airplanes, trains, buses, ferries) and transportation hubs (such as airports, stations, and seaports).  This is increasingly important as the risk for transmission increases in the community.
  • When choosing to wear a mask, ensure your mask provides the best fit and filtration (respirators like N95, KN95 and KF94 are best). 
  • If you’ve had a significant exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, wear a mask for 10 days.

Please see the full community level guidance matrix from the California Department of Public Health at the link below. 

California Department of Public Health Face Covering Guidance