You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it or if you are going out in public for an essential activity. Consistent with the Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC), the Division of Public Health (DPH) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). This is a recommendation not a requirement. Read more about Guidance for Face Coverings.

A face mask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).