To All SMCCCD Faculty, Staff, and Administrators:
The San Mateo County Health Officer has issued a legal order requiring face coverings for all members of the public, with certain exceptions noted in the order, when outside their place of residence. Note that this legal requirement applies to any District employee who is working on-site at any District location.
Read the San Mateo County announcement
Read the full text of the legal order
All people in San Mateo County are required to follow this order outside of the home. There are many options for making or getting masks that fulfill the legal order.
When/Where Do I Have to Wear a Mask?
The order requires members of the public to wear face coverings when they are inside or in line to enter grocery stores, laundromats, hospitals, clinics, COVID-19 testing locations, dentists, veterinary clinics, and when they are waiting for or riding on public transportation, including ride shares, Caltrain, and BART. You are not required to wear a mask while jogging, biking, or exercising, but you should still carry a mask in case you come within six feet of another person.
The order also requires workers, contractors, and volunteers to wear a face covering in the workplace when they are interacting with the public or working in any public spaces, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time. Face coverings are also required when working in or walking through common areas such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities, and in any room or enclosed area when other people, including co-workers, are present (except for members of the person’s own household or residence).
What Type of Face Covering Is Required?
Face coverings can be any type of cloth, fabric, or other soft material that covers the nose and mouth and surrounding areas of the lower face. They can be factory-made or homemade. You can use many things as a face covering:
- Scarves
- Bandanas
- Neck gaiters
- Homemade coverings made from t-shirt material or other fabric and held with rubber bands
You can use purchased masks, but do not purchase medical grade masks like N95 respirators, since those are in short supply and should only be used by healthcare workers.
How Can I Make a Mask?
Read these guides from the Centers for Disease Control for making, wearing, washing, and caring for face coverings:
English
Spanish
Simplified Chinese
Watch these videos for easy ways to make your own mask:
U.S. Surgeon General How-to Video
ASL How-to Video
A similar message is being sent to all District students.
This is a legal order of the County Health Officer. Please comply with this order anytime you are outside of your home or at the workplace.
Thank you.