On April 4, 2023, the Health Officer of Santa Clara County made effective a mask mandate for people working within patient care areas of healthcare delivery facilities. From November 1st, 2023 to March 31st, 2024 people in these areas must wear permitted face coverings.

The text of the order is as follows:

3. Mandatory Requirement to Wear Face Masks in Patient Care Areas of Health Care Delivery Facilities During the Designated Winter Respiratory Virus Period. 
   1. Regardless of vaccination status, all persons in Patient Care Areas of Health Care Delivery Facilities must wear a Face Mask during the period deemed the Designated Winter Respiratory Virus Period by the Health Officer, except for the following:
      1. Persons younger than two years old due to, inter alia, the risk of suffocation.
      2. Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask.  This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance.
      3. Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
      4. Persons for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
   2. All Businesses and governmental entities with Health Care Delivery Facilities must enforce this Face Mask Requirement for all persons entering Patient Care Areas within the Health Care Delivery Facility, regardless of vaccination status, except as otherwise provided in this Order.  All such Businesses and governmental entities must post clearly visible and easy-to-read signage at all entry points to Patient Care Areas to communicate the Face Mask requirements to all persons entering the Patient Care Areas of the Health Care Delivery Facility.  
   3. In addition, those responsible for Health Care Delivery Facilities are required to provide Face Masks to individuals who will be in an area where Face Masks are required.  

Read the full public health order here: https://covid19.sccgov.org/health-order-requiring-use-face-masks-patient-care-areas-health-care-delivery-facilities-during

SCCDS is not a government entity and is not responsible for issuing, enforcing or communicating public health orders. We provide this information as a professional service to our members and the public. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department through their website.

Download and print a Face Masks Are Required sign for your office.