What is a Facial Covering?

By: Broward County

1. What is a facial covering? What does it do?

Facial coverings help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help keep you and those around you safe. The use of facial coverings may reduce transmission of the virus by more than 50%. Facial coverings must be made of cloth, must cover your nose and your mouth, and must comply with the CDC recommendations. For CDC guidance on selection, use, and sanitization of facial coverings see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-facecover-guidance.html. [EO 20-21, Section 3]

2. Who has to wear a facial covering and when?

Generally stated, facial coverings must be worn by all persons while outside the geographical boundaries of their residence if social distancing of at least six feet (6’) between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained. This includes when visiting an amenity such as pools, parks, and beaches.

In addition, the following persons are required to wear facial coverings regardless of whether social distancing can be maintained:

a. All persons in any establishment (except for in amenities such as pools, parks, and beaches), including when entering, exiting, and otherwise moving around within the establishment;

b. All persons while working in any capacity in an establishment, including workers involved in the preparation, handling, or service of food; and

c. All persons while in any common area of a multi-family housing development or residential facility, including without limitation the reception area, hallways, and elevators.

These general rules apply to all establishments, including businesses, nonprofit organizations, stores, and amenities. [See EO 20-21, Section 1 for the definition of “establishment”]

3. What are the consequences of violating an Emergency Order? Does that apply to the facial covering requirements?

Violation of any Emergency Order, including the facial covering requirements of EO 20-21, may be subject to civil and/or criminal enforcement action. Civil enforcement of a violation may include fines of $1,000 per day per violation, except where the violation is knowing and irreparable/irreversible, in which event civil enforcement may include fines up to $15,000 per violation. Criminal enforcement of a violation as a second-degree misdemeanor may include fines of up to $500 per day, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both. [Section 8-56, Broward County Code of Ordinances]. These penalties may be imposed on any individual who fails to comply with the facial covering requirements and on any establishment that allows employees or patrons to violate the facial covering requirements. Any establishment cited by the applicable code enforcement or law enforcement authority for violating any Emergency Order (including the facial covering requirements) must immediately close for a minimum period of at least 24 hours and may only reopen after complying with certain conditions outlined in EO 20-21, Section 4. Reopening in violation of EO 20-21 is a separate violation.

4. How do I report a violation of the Emergency Orders?

If you know or suspect that an establishment is in violation of an applicable order, you should report the suspected violation to 311 or to the applicable local municipal code enforcement.

5. May municipalities impose additional, stricter limitations on facial coverings?

Yes. Municipalities may have stricter limitations than the County. Any more stringent requirements imposed by a municipality would be in addition to the requirements stated in the Broward County Emergency Orders. Please check with your municipality for additional restrictions. [EO 20-21, Section 6]

6. Do I need to wear a facial covering when I have guests in my home? Do my guests need to wear a facial covering?

EO 20-21 requires that all persons wear a facial covering while outside of their residential property if social distancing of at least six feet (6’) between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained. [EO 20-21, Section 3]. Therefore, you are not required under EO 20-21 to wear a facial covering if you are on your own residential property. However, your guests need to wear a facial covering both inside of your home and in outside areas like a backyard or patio whenever social distancing of at least six feet (6’) cannot be consistently maintained.

7. Do I have to wear a facial covering at the gym?

All patrons at a gym or fitness center (including similar establishments, such as dance studios, yoga studios, boxing clubs, etc.) must wear a facial covering at all times, including while exercising (except while in a pre-swim shower or swimming pool). [EO 20-22, Attachment 14]. Staff at the gym or fitness facility must wear facial coverings at all times. [EO 20-21, Section 3; EO 20-21, Attachment 1; EO 20-22, Attachment 14]

8. What about at restaurants? Who has to wear facial coverings and when?

You must wear a facial covering at all times while at a restaurant, including when entering, exiting, and otherwise moving around within the establishment, except during the shortest practical period when you are actually eating or drinking. [EO 20-21, Section 3]. For example, the facial covering should be worn when arriving at the restaurant, while waiting to be seated (whether waiting inside or outside nearby the facility), while seated, while waiting to be served, when up and about, such as to use the facilities, and when the meal is completed and waiting to pay. All restaurant staff, including workers preparing, handling, or serving food, must wear facial coverings at all times. [EO 20-21, Section 3] 

9. Do I have to wear a facial covering in the park?

Generally, yes. Unless another exception applies, such as strenuous physical activity or swimming, facial coverings must be worn in all amenities, including parks, if social distancing of at least six feet (6’) between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained. [EO 20-21, Section 3]

10. Do I have to wear a facial covering on the beach?

Generally, yes. Unless another exception applies, such as strenuous physical activity or swimming, facial coverings must be worn at all amenities, including beaches, if social distancing of at least six feet (6’) between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained. [EO 20-21, Section 3]. Persons who are swimming, surfing, or exercising should have a facial covering available and ready to use when not engaged in those activities, and be able to show their facial coverings upon request by local authorities.

11. Do I have to wear a facial covering while shopping at a retail store?

Yes. Unless another exception applies, facial coverings must be worn by persons obtaining goods or services at the grocery store, the mall, or any other retail establishment, regardless of whether social distancing is also maintained. [EO 20-21, Section 3]. Please note that these requirements apply both while inside the establishment and while entering or leaving the establishment, including while leaving for short periods of time.

12. Do I have to wear a facial covering at the pool? While I’m swimming? What about pool staff?

Yes. If the pool is at or part of a gym or fitness center, facial coverings must be worn the entire time except during the pre-swim shower or while in the pool. For all other pools and pool decks, such as those located in a multi-family housing development, unless another exception applies, facial coverings are required whenever social distancing of at least six feet (6’) between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained (except when use of the pool necessarily precludes the wearing of a facial covering, such as while swimming). [EO 20-21, Section 3]. Pool staff must wear facial coverings at all times (except when deemed necessary to perform life-saving measures). [EO 20-21, Section 3; and EO 20-21, Attachment 11 and Attachment 12]

13. Do I have to wear a facial covering while out on my boat? What about at the marina?

Unless another exception applies, facial coverings must be worn at all times when social distancing of at least six feet (6’) between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained. Therefore, you must wear a facial covering if you are on a boat and cannot consistently maintain at least six feet (6’) of distance with persons not of the same household. In addition, while at the marina, when launching boats, and when patronizing ship (bait & tackle) stores, you must wear a facial covering at all times, regardless of whether social distancing is maintained. [EO 20-21, Section 3; and EO 20-21, Attachment 9]. Staff must wear facial coverings at all times. [EO 20-21, Section 3; and EO 20-21, Attachment 1 and Attachment 9]

14. Do I have to wear a facial covering on the golf course?

Yes. Unless another exception applies, facial coverings are required to be worn on the golf course whenever social distancing of at least six feet (6’) between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained. [EO 20-21, Section 3]. In addition, golf course and beverage cart staff must wear facial coverings at all times. [EO 20-21, Section 3; and EO 20- 21, Attachment 1 and Attachment 10]

15. My office is now open. Do I have to wear a facial covering at work? Do my customers have to wear a facial covering?

Generally, yes, all workers in any establishment must wear a facial covering at all times regardless of whether social distancing is maintained. [EO 20-21, Section 3]. However, a person working indoors in an establishment other than a retail, restaurant, or personal services establishment, an indoor amusement facility, or a gym or fitness center, is excepted from the facial covering requirement when they are the only person in the room or there is no other person of a different household within six feet (6’). All customers must wear facial coverings at all times, regardless of whether social distancing is maintained. Establishments must require customers, clients, and other visitors to the establishment to wear facial coverings in accordance with the requirements of Broward County Emergency Orders. [EO 20-21, Section 3; and EO 20-21, Attachment 1]. No establishment may serve or transact business with any person or patron who does not comply with the facial covering requirements of EO 20-21 and the applicable attachments thereto, as amended. [EO 20-22, Section 4]

16. I’m getting a haircut, shave, manicure, or other personal service. Do I have to wear a facial covering if I am receiving a service? Does the stylist or service provider have to wear a facial covering?

Yes, you must wear a facial covering at all times, except during the shortest practical period of time when the service requires removal of the facial covering, such as when obtaining a shave. Personal service employees must wear facial coverings at all times when working. [EO 20-21, Section 3; and EO 20-21, Attachment 1 and Attachment 4]

17. Do I have to wear a facial covering while at a hotel?

Guests must wear facial coverings at all times while outside their room if six feet (6’) between persons not of the same household cannot be consistently maintained. In addition, guests must wear facial coverings at all times, regardless of social distancing, in all public spaces, such as check-in areas, elevators, courtesy shuttles, business centers, and all other common spaces. Staff must wear facial coverings at all times. [EO 20-21, Section 3; Attachment 1 and Attachment 13].

18. Are there exceptions to the facial covering requirements?

Yes, under certain limited circumstances. Facial coverings are not required for the following persons under these specific circumstances: a. Children under the age of two (2) (who should not wear facial coverings according to CDC Guidelines), and any child, regardless of age, while under the custody of a licensed childcare facility, including daycare centers; b. Persons receiving goods or services from a business or establishment for the shortest practical period of time during which the receipt of such goods or services necessarily precludes the wearing of a facial covering (such as eating, receiving a facial grooming, or swimming); c. A person with a disability or medical condition that prevents the person from wearing a facial covering; however, any establishment may forbid any such person from entering the establishment without wearing a facial covering provided the establishment offers an appropriate accommodation to the person, if reasonably available; d. Public health or safety, fire, or other life safety personnel, as their personal protective equipment requirements will be governed by their respective agencies; e. While actively engaging in strenuous physical activity or exercise that renders the wearing of a facial covering unsafe, provided that social distancing of at least six feet (6’) between persons is maintained to the maximum extent practicable (this exception does not apply to persons in gyms or fitness centers, where persons must wear facial coverings at all times other than during a pre-swim shower or while in a pool); and f. A person working indoors in an establishment who is the only person in the room, or persons working in an establishment other than a retail, restaurant, or personal services establishment, indoor amusement facility, or gym or fitness center, when there is no other person of a different household within six feet (6’). [EO 20-21, Section 3]

19. I have a health condition that makes breathing while wearing a facial covering particularly difficult. Am I required to wear a facial covering?

There is a limited exception to the facial covering requirements if a disability or medical condition prevents you from wearing a facial covering. [EO 20-21, Section 3]. Establishments are encouraged to provide alternative methods to accommodate persons who cannot wear facial coverings, such as curbside service or delivery. However, establishments must not serve or transact business with any person or patron who is not complying with the facial covering requirements of EO 20-21 and the applicable attachments. [EO 20-22, Section 4]. In addition, a municipality or individual establishment may impose other additional requirements.

20. I have a medical condition that does not allow me to wear a facial covering, but businesses are refusing to grant me access. Is that allowed? Do I need to show medical proof?

The County’s Emergency Orders do not require that you provide medical proof of a health condition that renders you exempt from the requirement to wear a facial covering.

Establishments are encouraged to provide alternative methods for such persons to patronize the establishment, such as providing curbside service or delivery; however, the establishment must not serve or transact business with any person or patron who is not complying with the facial covering requirements of EO 20-21 and the applicable attachments. [EO 20-22, Section 4]

21. I have an exception to the facial covering requirements, but an establishment will not let me in. What can I do?

Broward County has established certain exceptions to the County requirements for facial coverings, and encouraged establishments to provide alternative methods for such persons to patronize the establishment, but Broward County Emergency Orders require that establishments do not serve or patronize any person who is not complying with the facial covering requirements of EO 20-21 and the applicable attachments. [EO 20-22, Section 4] However, establishments may not deny entry in a discriminatory manner. If you believe an establishment is treating you inappropriately, you may want to discuss your concern with management of the establishment, if you feel comfortable doing so.

22. How should I discard my facial covering?

Reusable facial coverings should be properly sanitized after each use per CDC guidelines. Disposable facial coverings and other disposable personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, must be discarded properly in a waste receptacle; littering of facial coverings or other personal protective equipment is a separate violation of EO 20-21, and is also prohibited under Section 403.413, Florida Statutes. [EO 20-21, Section 3]

23. How can I contact the County if I have any questions or comments about COVID-19 or the County’s Emergency Orders?

Call the COVID-19 Hotline at (954) 357-9500.

Last updated: July 21, 2020