June 18th, 2020
California Public Health Officials Release Guidance Requiring Californians to Wear Face Coverings in Most Settings Outside the Home
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health today released updated guidance that requires Californians to wear a face covering in high-risk settings. A growing body of scientific research has shown that people with no or few symptoms of COVID-19 can still spread the disease and that the use of face coverings, combined with physical distancing and frequent hand washing, will reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“Science shows that face coverings and masks work,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “They are critical to keeping those who are around you safe, keeping businesses open and restarting our economy.”
Governor Newsom also addressed why he took this action now. “Simply put, we are seeing too many people with faces uncovered – putting at risk the real progress we have made in fighting the disease. California’s strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if people act safely and follow health recommendations. That means wearing a face covering, washing your hands and practicing physical distancing.”
“As Californians venture into our communities more, wearing face coverings is another important way we can help protect one another,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health. “Combined with physical distancing and frequent hand washing, wearing cloth face coverings when we are with others outside of our household will reduce the spread of COVID-19, which is still a very real threat across our state.”
Today’s guidance mandates the use of cloth face coverings by the general public statewide when outside the home, with limited exceptions.
Californians must wear face coverings when they are in the situations listed below:
- Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space;
- Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank;
- Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle;
- Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:
- Interacting in-person with any member of the public;
- Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;
- Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;
- Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;
- In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person’s own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance.
- Driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.
- While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of six feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.
The following individuals are exempt from wearing a face covering:
- Children aged two and under;
- Persons with a medical, mental health, or developmental disability that prevents wearing a face covering;
- Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication;
- Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
- Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service;
- Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence;
- Persons who are engaged in outdoor work or recreation such as swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, when alone or with household members, and when they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others;
- Persons who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails, as part of their mitigation plans, will have specific guidance on the wearing of face coverings of masks for both inmates and staff.
May 5th, 2020
RED ALERT
UPDATE on AB 828 (TING)
Bill Would Impose 25% Rent Reductions,Prohibit Most Unlawful Detainers
Keep Up The Pressure on Your Elected Officials
AB 828 (Ting) is still in the Senate Judiciary Committee as of April 30 and no changes have been made since the bill was amended earlier this month. It has not yet been scheduled for a committee hearing but that will change as the State Legislature is set to go back into session next Monday, May 4. The Senate and the Assembly are presently debating how to schedule and conduct committee hearings and floor votes, but we expect decisions will be made in the next few days.
As we wait for a committee hearing to be scheduled, we still need our members to contact their state legislators, express their opposition to AB 828, and ask them to oppose this radical legislation.
AB 828 (Ting) would:
- Allow courts to force landlords to reduce rents by 25%, even if a tenant is unable to demonstrate that they have been affected by COVID-19.
- Allow courts to set rents and change rental agreement already in place.
- Protect nuisance tenants by not requiring the tenants to answer an unlawful detainer request.
- Assume that every tenant is already facing a COVID-19 hardship without requiring proof.
- Mandate that rental property owners must prove their economic hardship to collect the contracted rent.
The status of this bill may change over the next few weeks and NCRPA will keep you updated with the latest information.
If you have not yet done so, please contact your State Senator AND State Assembly Member (where you live AND where you own/operate your rental property) and urge them to “Vote No on AB 828” when it comes up for a vote.
GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS CONTACT INFORMATION
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