Coconino News

Health officials of Coconino County issued a directive on June 20 requiring residents to wear face masks in public places to protect them from the COVID-19 virus.

"Wearing a face covering when around others is one of the single most effective ways to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community," Coconino County Board of Supervisors chair Liz Archuleta told the Arizona Daily Sun. "Each of us can help to prevent COVID-19 transmission by wearing a face covering when we cannot physically distance from others. Please do your part and model best practices by putting on your face covering when you are out in public and around other people. This is one thing we can do to take care of ourselves and our neighbors."

Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) led to the mandate, the report said.

All people over the age of 2 years old are required to wear masks in public indoor places where there are other people and outside in public places where other people are closer than six feet away.

Also, the rules apply to those waiting in lines indoors or outside.

Masks will not be required to anyone incapacitated and unable to remove a mask, at home with household members, while eating or drinking, or working in a space where no one is within six feet. Also, persons exercising alone or in their car alone are exempt.