When You Do and Don't Have to Wear a Mask in Cuyahoga County, According to Ohio's New Health Order

The Ohio Department of Health’s order requiring people in the seven “red” alert counties in Ohio to wear a face mask in public went into effect at 6 p.m. July 8.

The order is in effect for each county until they are no longer in the red under Ohio’s new Public Health Advisory Alert System.

A Level 3: Red code means a county has very high exposure and spread of COVID-19 — in workplaces, social settings, long-term care facilities. Guidelines for residents in red counties, in addition to the new mask requirement, include to limit activities as much as possible; consider online options, even for church services; consider necessary travel only; and to limit attending gatherings of any kind.

But back to the masks.

According to the order, here’s when you need to wear them:

In any indoor location that is not a residence;
If you’re outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of 6 feet or more from individuals who are not members of your household;
Or while waiting for, riding, driving or operating public transportation, a taxi, a private car service or a ride sharing vehicle. This does not apply to private or rental vehicles where members of a family are sharing a vehicle. This does not apply to vehicles engaged in direct travel through a county that does not stop in that county.

Here’s when you don’t:

If you’re 10 or younger;
If the person has a medical condition, including a respiratory condition that restricts breathing; mental health condition; or disability that contraindicates the wearing of a facial covering;
If you’re seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired or has another disability where the mouth is essential for communication;
If you are alone in an enclosed space, like an office, which is not intended for public use;
If you’re actively engaged in exercise in a gym or indoor facility as long as 6 feet or more of distance can be maintained between you and another individual;
If you’re actively participating in athletic practice, a scrimmage or competition permitted under the Department of Health order;
If you’re actively engaged in a public safety capacity, like law enforcement, firefighting or emergency medicine;
If you’re seated and consuming food or beverages in a restaurant or bar;
If facial coverings are prohibited by law or regulation;
If facial coverings are a violation of documented industry standards;
If facial coverings are a violation of a business’s documented safety policies;
If you’re actively engaged in broadcast communications;
Or if you’re an officiant of a religious service
Also no part of this order supersedes any other regarding mask use on school grounds. And it does not apply to jails or prison facilities.