City orders use of masks
The city of Cupertino issued an emergency order requiring the use of face coverings for everyone when working or obtaining essential goods and services outside of their homes as an additional measure to stop the spread of COVID-19. The order went into effect April 24 at noon and currently has no end date.
“I have signed this order to normalize the wearing of face coverings outside our homes,” said city manager Deborah L. Feng. “The use of face coverings, along with proper social distancing and other evidence-based health measures, has been shown to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Face coverings can be a scarf or bandana; a neck gaiter; a homemade covering made from a T-shirt, sweatshirt or towel, held on with rubber bands or otherwise; or a mask, which need not be medical grade.
The city is discouraging residents, employees and visitors from using personal protective equipment, such as N-95 respirators or surgical masks, for non-medical reasons, as they are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.
Mayor Steven Scharf said it’s important to comply with the order even as the curve flattens. “Even though the rate of increase in infections is slowing, the number of infections and deaths are continuing to rise,” he added. “Individuals that are asymptomatic can unknowingly spread the disease, especially because asymptomatic individuals are generally not being tested and are unaware that they are infected.”
The text of the order states, “Violation of this order shall be punishable through the issuance of administrative citations, fines and penalties as set forth in (the) Cupertino Municipal Code. … Law enforcement officers of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office are authorized to enforce this order.”
To view the order, visit www.cupertino.org/facecoverings.