Riverside County Ordered Mandatory Face Masks When Leaving Home and Prohibits All Gatherings

Staff Writer

Saturday, April 4th, 2020

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Ca. – The Riverside Health Officer ordered on Saturday for residents to stay home and anyone leaving home for any essential tasks should wear a face covering at all times.

This order is in response to the rapidly rising number of those testing positive for COVID-19 and to encourage measures that can help to flatten the curve. Dr. Cameron Kaiser ordered that no gatherings can take place besides for those living in the same home. Everyone is ordered to wear face coverings when leaving home, that is for everyone including essential workers. These coverings can consist of bandanas, scarves, neck gaiters or other clothing without visible holes, the tighter the knit the better.

Due to the shortage in masks for those in the medical field, residents should not purchase N95 or surgical masks. “While more and more Riverside County residents are getting COVID-19, not everybody’s getting the message,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “It started with staying home, social distance and covering your face. But now we change from saying that you should to saying that you must.”

Law enforcement agencies throughout the county have been informed of this order and have been given the authority to enforce, as deemed necessary. This order runs through April 30. “We have already lost two of our deputies to this virus. I am asking all of you to honor them by staying at home,” said Sheriff Chad Bianco. Essential business gathers are not included in this order but are asked to use social distancing to keep clients and customers 6 feet apart. All employees must wear face coverings. All churches, of all denominations are prohibited from any in-person or drive in religious services. “Palm Sunday, Passover and Easter are sacred days. The best way to practice our love for God is loving our fellow neighbor. That means staying home and observing the holidays at home,” said Board Chair V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor. “I also want to thank Sheriff Bianco and all our law enforcement partners for their dedicated service during this pandemic and for enforcing these orders to keep our residents and essential workers safe.”

Residents should not call 9-1-1 to report groups of people who are not at an essential business. 9-1-1 must remain open for emergencies only.