Yakima County Residents are directed to wear face coverings in public settings. Starting June 3rd, 2020, everyone in Yakima County is strongly recommended to wear a face-covering while at any indoor or outdoor public space where you may be within 6 feet of someone who does not live with you. 

Here is the complete directive from the Yakima Health District....SideBar People will not be criminally or financially (fined) for not wearing a mask

Where You Need to Wear a Face Covering

You should wear face coverings in public settings such as:

  • Stores that sell food and beverages (including: grocery stores, corner stores and convenience stores, farmers’ markets, food banks, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, big box stores that sell groceries, and similar places that sell food).
  • Retail stores (including: convenience stores, pet supply stores, auto supplies and repair, hardware and home improvement, garden stores and nurseries that sell supplies to grow food, office supply stores, and home appliance stores).
  • Restaurant take-out businesses. Employees who prepare, carry out, and deliver food must wear masks.
  • Cannabis retail and dietary supplement retail stores
  • Tobacco and vapor sellers
  • Buses and other forms of public transportation

You do not need to wear a face-covering when outside walking, exercising, or otherwise outdoors if you are able to stay 6 feet away from other people who you do not live with you.

Who Should Not Wear a Face Covering

Some people do not need to comply with this directive due to specific health-related reasons; this includes the following:

  • Children ages 2 years and younger. Babies and toddlers under the age of two should never wear cloth face coverings.

  • Children ages 2-12 years should only wear a face covering if a parent or caregiver supervises to make sure it’s worn safely.

  • Any individual who is deaf and moves their face and mouth to communicate
  • Anyone with a disability that makes it hard for them to wear or remove a face covering;
  • Anyone who has been advised by a medical professional to not wear a face-covering due to personal health reasons;
  • Anyone who trouble breathing or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face without help.

What Kind of Face Coverings to Use

Individuals should use fabric face coverings, such as cloth face masks, scarves and bandana coverings, or other material as recommended by the CDC.  Surgical masks and N95 respirators should be reserved for health care workers and other medical first responders.

How to Properly Wear Face Coverings

  • Your mask should cover your nose and mouth at all times.

  • Always wash your hands with soap and water before you put on a face covering and after removing it.

  • Change your face covering when it gets moist.

  • Wash your face covering after each use.

Enforcement

It is strongly recommended that individuals follow this directive. There are no criminal, civil or financial penalties associated with failure to comply. Residents are asked to comply in order to educate, encourage and persuade others to wear face coverings. By wearing face coverings, you are protecting others and they are protecting you from possible exposure to COVID-19.

Face coverings do not replace the need for frequent handwashing or social distancing measures.

More From 98.3 KEYW