[Image Description: Fatima, an Indian female with long black hair wearing glasses and a gray knitted cardigan on top of a white blouse.]

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Effective Friday, May 22, 2020, Santa Clara County will join other Bay Area counties that require face coverings for residents at all times when at any business — even if it’s outdoors i.e. outdoor nursery or museum — and on public transit. Businesses are required to post signs reminding residents to wear a face covering. At all other times when residents are out in public, they are “strongly encouraged” to wear a face covering. Police officers will not enforce this new order. Instead, they are encouraging and educating residents.

Starting Friday, you are required to wear a face-covering in Santa Clara County in the following places:
– Non-essential businesses reopening for curbside pickup, including bookstores, clothing stores, florists and sporting goods stores
– Outdoor businesses, such as nurseries
– Grocery stores and other essential businesses
– Public transit

Here are the exceptions:
– Children under the age of six
– People who have trouble breathing
– People who are unable to remove a face covering without assistance

Here’s when you can go mask-free:
– In the comfort of your own home or car
– During exercise — walking, biking, hiking or running

Continue to be safe! Use a face-covering in public and practice social distancing while out at parks, walking, or at beaches. We’re in this together!

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