20 states require masks in public
Exemptions for certain disabilities, kids under 2
Have you been wearing a face mask when you leave home?
As coronavirus cases rise in at least 40 states, many governors institute or renew orders requiring people to wear face coverings in public. Most of the orders require people to wear masks in both indoor and outdoor public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, but some apply to only specific places or age groups.
None of the orders applies to children younger than 2 or people with a medical condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering.
These states require you to wear a face mask in public:
California
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide order June 18 mandating the use of face masks in indoor public spaces and outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible. The order applies while driving or operating any public transportation or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present.
Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont issued an order April 20 requiring the use of face masks in public spaces when social distancing is not possible. The order applies when a person is in a taxi, ride-share or public mass transit service or enclosed transit stop.
Delaware
Gov. John Carney issued an order effective April 28 requiring the use of face masks inside businesses, at health care providers and in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible. It applies to using public transportation or a paratransit vehicle, taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle.
Hawaii
Gov. David Ige issued an order April 17 requiring customers of essential businesses and employees who have contact with customers or goods to wear cloth face masks. The order requires customers waiting to get into businesses to wear masks.
Violations could result in a fine of not more than $5,000 or imprisonment not more than one year, or both, according to the order.
Illinois
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an order April 30 requiring the use of face masks in public and at work. The order requires the use of masks in indoor spaces such as stores and other public spaces where social distancing isn’t feasible.
Kansas
Gov. Laura Kelly issued an order effective July 3 requiring the use of face masks in indoor public spaces or while in line to enter indoor public spaces, at health care providers, in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible, on public transportation or in a taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle.
The order mandates that businesses must require customers and employees to wear masks in spaces visited by the public.
Maine
Gov. Janet Mills issued an order effective May 1 requiring the use of face masks in public when social distancing is hard to maintain, including in stores and health facilities, at playgrounds and in parking lots, in lines for takeout services and on public transportation or ride-sharing services.
Maryland
Gov. Larry Hogan issued an order effective April 18 requiring the use of masks or face coverings when inside retail establishments and grocery stores or when riding any form of public transportation. The order requires all essential retail establishments to make staff wear face coverings.
The mandate extends only to customers who are 9 or older. Those with children ages of 2 to 9 should make “reasonable efforts” to have them use face coverings.
Massachusetts
Gov. Charlie Baker issued an order effective May 26 requiring the use of face masks in indoor and outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible, including on public transportation or ride-sharing services.
Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an order June 17 requiring the use of face masks when entering a grocery store or pharmacy.
Nevada
Gov. Steve Sisolak issued an order June 24 requiring the use of face masks in public transportation, work environments, businesses or any generally publicly accessible space.
New Jersey
Gov. Phil Murphy issued an order April 8 requiring customers and workers to use face masks at essential businesses. Businesses must provide, at their expense, face coverings and gloves for their employees, according to the order.
The order says that if a customer refuses to wear a cloth face covering for nonmedical reasons and if such a covering cannot be provided by the business, the business must not allow the customer in. An exemption is made for businesses providing medication, medical supplies or food, in which case the business policy should provide alternate methods of pickup and/or delivery of goods.
New Mexico
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an order May 15 requiring the use of face masks when around others in public, including at the grocery store, pharmacy, health clinic and on public transportation.
New Mexicans and out-of-state visitors could face $100 fines if they don’t wear a mask, the governor said July 1.
New York
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an order effective April 17 requiring the use of face masks when in a public place and when unable to maintain social distance.
North Carolina
Gov. Roy Cooper issued an order June 24 requiring people 11 or older to wear face masks in public spaces when unable to maintain social distance.
The order calls out child care facilities, day camps and overnight camps, where workers, all other adults and children 11 or older must wear face coverings within 6 feet of another person.
Oregon
Gov. Kate Brown issued an order effective July 1 requiring the use of face masks in indoor public spaces. The order applies to business owners, employees and people visiting indoor public spaces.
Children under 12, as well as people with a disability or a medical condition that prevents them from wearing a face covering, are not required to wear one, according to the order.
Pennsylvania
The state Department of Health issued an updated order July 1 requiring the use of face masks in indoor public spaces and in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible, at health care facilities, on public transit and ride-sharing vehicles and at work when interacting with the public.
Rhode Island
Gov. Gina Raimondo issued an order effective May 8 requiring the use of face masks in indoor and outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible.
Texas
Gov. Greg Abbott issued an order effective July 3 requiring the use of face masks in public spaces in counties with 20 or more active COVID-19 cases. The governor issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the ability to impose restrictions on outdoor gatherings of more than 10 people.
The order does not apply to people eating, drinking, swimming or exercising or those under 10 years old.
Washington
The state secretary of health issued an order effective June 26 requiring people 5 and older to wear face masks in any indoor public setting or when outdoors and unable to maintain social distance.
Gov. Jay Inslee issued an order effective July 7 directing businesses to require and enforce the use of face coverings by all customers or visitors.