What Are U.S. States Requiring For General Mask Use?
As Connecting the Dots reported here, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and other business groups have argued requiring individual Americans to wear masks in public and in the workplace is essential to keeping the economy open.
In the United States, there is no nationwide mask policy, but the USCC is tracking state mask orders in this map. About half of U.S. states currently require masks to be worn in public settings. Some are enforcing fines up to $5,000 or imprisonment for not complying. Businesses often are required to enforce these mandates, so MSCI members should examine the policies in the states in which they operate.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is leading the White House coronavirus task force, told the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last week, “I would urge the leaders–the local, political and other leaders – in states and cities and towns to be as forceful as possible in getting your citizenry to wear masks.”
Trying to keep track of other statewide COVID-19 orders? There are several resources available that can help MSCI members and other employers stay on top of what is required of businesses in each state. These include:
- A state-by-state map of reopening measures offered by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC);
- The National Association of Manufacturers’ COVID-19 state resources page;
- A list of executive orders compiled by the Council of State Governments;
- Stateside Associates publishes a daily report about state and local government responses to the evolving situation; and
- Multistate Associates has a spreadsheet that includes state and local COVID-19 response information.
In Canada, Faeger Drinker LLP is tracking orders in the countries various provinces. Click here for that information.