Although there has yet to be a specific nationwide standard for wearing face masks and other protective covering in public, this has not stopped states from implementing their health protocols.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that wearing face coverings such as face masks is effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. In line with this, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) recommends that professionals working in the construction industry should wear face masks or other coverings if maintaining physical distancing is not possible on the job site.
General contractors in California are advised to ensure their employees abide by mask mandates and related health protocols at the job site or as they travel to and from work. Companies should do necessary due diligence in learning which states, cities or counties require face coverings and other protective gears.
Mask Requirements in Each State
Here’s a quick list of mask requirements in each state and other protocols construction companies should follow.
Those with no statewide mandates are Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wyoming. However, do check up with their respective counties and cities for local health protocols.
Alabama
Individuals who are 6 years of age and older must wear face masks in both indoor and outdoor public spaces when it is not possible to maintain physical distancing. Limited exceptions apply to medical restrictions and exercise. Check Alabama’s latest guidelines here.
Arkansas
Residents who are 10 years of age and older are required to wear face masks when they will be exposed to non-household members in both indoor and outdoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible. Limited exceptions for drinking, eating, and other activities. Check Arkansas’ latest guidelines here.
California
Those who are 2 years and older are required to wear face coverings when they are outside their home. Limited exceptions include those who are wearing respirators, professionals working in a room alone, and those who must use their mouths to communicate.
California also has specific emergency COVID-19 guidelines for construction. Check it out here.
Colorado
Individuals who are 11 years old and above are required to wear a mask in indoor public spaces and while using mass transit. Check Colorado’s latest guidelines here.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires individuals who are 2 years of age and above to wear face masks or any type of covering in public. Those claiming a medical exemption must provide written documentation. Check Connecticut’s latest guidelines here.
Delaware
Masks are required in indoor and outdoor public settings, as well as in private residences where there is a gathering of 10 or more people who do not live together. Check Delaware’s latest guidelines here.
Hawaii
Masks are required for individuals who are 5 years old and above when in public with limited exceptions. Check Hawaii’s latest guidelines here.
Illinois
Those who are 2 years old and above without medical exception are required to wear face coverings in public places where distancing is not possible. Check Illinois’ latest guidelines here.
Indiana
Those 8 years old and above should wear face coverings in public spaces with limited exceptions. Check Indiana’s latest guidelines here.
Iowa
Masks are required in public areas and indoors when in the presence of guests for 15 minutes or more. Exceptions include those younger than 2 years old, those engaged in exercise and religious services. Check Iowa’s latest guidelines here.
Kansas
Face coverings are required in public spaces for individuals who are 5 years of age and older. Check Kansas’ latest guidelines here.
Kentucky
Masks are required for individuals older than 5 years of age in public indoor and outdoor spaces. Exemptions include medical reasons, exercise, and certain other conditions. Check Kentucky’s latest guidelines here.
Louisiana
Masks are required for anyone 8 years and older in commercial and public spaces. Gov. Edwards revised the mask mandate to allow several counties to opt-out of the mandate if their transmission rates are below a certain level. Check Louisiana’s latest guidelines here.
Maine
Masks are required for individuals 5 years and older in public settings. A recent revision to order eliminates the exception when social distancing is possible. Check Maine’s latest guidelines here.
Maryland
Masks are required for those who are 5 years of age and older in public indoor and outdoor spaces. Limited exceptions include certain medical conditions and disabilities. Check Maryland’s latest guidelines here.
Massachusetts
Masks are required for those who are 5 years old and above when in public spaces. Coverings are not required when social distancing is possible. Check Massachusetts’ latest guidelines here.
Michigan
Masks are required for individuals who are 5 years of age and older in most indoor and outdoor public settings. Michigan has also implemented emergency standards that affect construction job sites.
Minnesota
Masks are required for individuals who are older than 5 years of age in indoor public and commercial spaces and where social distancing is not possible. Check Minnesota’s latest guidelines here.
Montana
Masks are required for those who are 5 years and older in public places or where there is a gathering of 25 people or more. A recent revision does not allow for exemption in counties where transmission rates are low. Check Montana’s latest guidelines here.
Nevada
Masks are required for individuals who are 10 years and older in public places. Check Nevada’s latest guidelines here.
New Hampshire
Masks are required for those who are 5 years old and above in public spaces and those who are gathering indoors from different households. Check New Hampshire’s latest guidelines here.
New Jersey
Masks are required for individuals who are 2 years old and above in public areas. New Jersey also requires that construction workers and visitors to job sites wear masks as well. Check construction guidelines here.
New Mexico
Masks are required for individuals in public spaces except when eating, drinking, or swimming and when maintaining a 6-foot distance. Check New Mexico’s latest guidelines here.
New York
Masks are required for those who are 2 years old and above when not able to maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet. Check New York’s latest guidelines here.
North Carolina
Masks are required for people who are 5 years of age and older whether they can keep 6 feet physical distance. Check North Carolina’s latest guidelines here.
North Dakota
Masks are required for those older than 4 years of age in public. Exempted are those with medical conditions and disabilities. Check North Dakota’s latest guidelines here.
Ohio
Masks are required for individuals 10 years or older in public and in the presence of those who are not members of the household. Check New Hampshire’s latest guidelines here.
Oregon
Masks are required for individuals who are 5 years of age and older in public. Oregon has also implemented emergency standards for construction job sites.
Pennsylvania
Masks are required for those 2 years of age and older in public spaces. Coverings are also required in the presence of non-household members. Check Pennsylvania’s latest guidelines here.
Rhode Island
Masks are required for individuals older than 2 years of age in public spaces unless they can maintain physical distancing. Check Rhode Island’s latest guidelines here.
Texas
Masks are required for those 10 years of age and older in public and in the presence of those who are not members of the household. Check Texas’ latest guidelines here.
Utah
Masks are required for those 3 years of age and older in public and in the presence of non-household members. Check Utah’s latest guidelines here.
Vermont
Masks are required for individuals 2 years and older in public and in the presence of non-household members. Check Vermont’s latest guidelines here.
Virginia
Masks are required for those who are 10 years or older in public including libraries and public transportation. Exempted are those with medical conditions who cannot tolerate wearing a mask.
Virginia has also implemented emergency standards for construction job sites.
Washington
Masks are required for those who are 5 years and older must wear a mask in public and in the presence of non-household members. Check Washington’s latest guidelines here.
West Virginia
Governor Jim Justice has recently updated the state’s mask mandates requiring the public to wear face coverings even when physical distancing is possible. Those who are younger than 9 years of age are exempt from wearing them. Check West Virginia’s latest guidelines here.
Wisconsin
Masks are required for those who are 5 years and older in indoor or enclosed public spaces and in the presence of non-household members. Check Wisconsin’s latest guidelines here.
