FAQs on FACE COVERINGS
Under Governor Larry Hogan’s direction, state agencies continue to develop comprehensive and coordinated prevention and
response plans for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will communicate directly with
the public, providing updates as this situation develops and accurate information about how to protect yourself and your family. If
you have questions about COVID-19 that are not answered here, call your local health department or dial 2-1-1. For information and
resources pertaining to the business community, please visit the Mar yland Department of Commerce’s website here.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A FACE COVERING?
Face coverings protect both the wearer and others from being infected
by COVID-19 by blocking the spread of both large and small respiratory
droplets containing the virus.
WHERE ARE WE NOW WITH FACE COVERINGS?
As more people get vaccinated and the State and Nation move
forward in recovering from COVID-19, advice on face coverings is likely
to be updated from time to time. As vaccination rates increase, new
case rates decrease, and we learn more about how the virus spreads
among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations in different settings,
CDC guidance and the Governor’s Executive Order were able to relax
masking mandates, particularly for vaccinated individuals. Many
individuals and businesses are trying to understand how best to help
customers, neighbors, and their communities best move through
this transition.
Many individuals who are fully vaccinated may still feel more
comfortable wearing a face covering around others. Individuals who
are not vaccinated may feel comfortable not wearing a face covering
around others due to decreasing infection rates and increasing
vaccination rates. It is important that businesses and organizations
adopt policies that allow individuals to adapt to this changing
environment without stigmatizing individuals making these choices.
Employees and customers are likely to have questions about these
policies and would benefit from an open discussion about how to
best promote a transition to recovery.
WHEN MUST I WEAR A FACE COVERING?
There is no longer a mandatory statewide masking order in effect, this
is in line with the latest guidance coming from the CDC. In alignment
with this CDC guidance, face coverings will still be required on public
transportation, in schools, and child care and health care settings. The
Maryland Department of Health has issued a public health advisory
strongly recommending that all non-vaccinated individuals over the
age of 2 years continue to wear face coverings in all indoor settings and
in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Private businesses and workplaces can implement policies requiring
face coverings to be worn on their premises. The business has the sole
responsibility to uphold those policies. Local jurisdictions can also use
their own emergency powers under existing authority to require
face coverings.
WHAT IS A FACE COVERING?
A face covering fully covers a person’s nose and mouth and is secured
to the person’s head. In the Governor’s Executive Order, face coverings
include cloth face coverings, and full-face shields that fully cover the
nose, mouth, and eyes.Cloth face coverings are recommended by both
CDC and the Mar yland Department of Health to prevent the spread of
COVID-19. The CDC has detailed guidance and instructions regarding
homemade cloth face coverings available here. This does not include
material with visible holes or gaps in them like lace, knitted material,
crochet, and/or mesh. Face coverings with exhalation valves should also
not be used as they allow unfiltered air to escape to others. The face
coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators.
Those are critical supplies that continue to be needed by healthcare
workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by
current CDC guidance. However, MDH strongly recommends, but does
not require, also wearing a cloth face covering, if using a face shield.
ARE FACE COVERINGS SAFE?
Yes, most adults and children are able to wear a face covering safely,
even while exercising. The CDC tracks research on the efficacy and safety
of face coverings, compiled in a Science Brief on the Community Use of
Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2. The CDC and MDH
continue to recommend the use of face coverings by unvaccinated
individuals as an evidence-based strategy to prevent the transmission
of COVID-19; reduce exposure to the virus by the wearer; and reduce the
overall number of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths related
to COVID-19.
WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY WEARING FACIAL COVERINGS?
Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age
2 (and under the Executive Order, are not required under the age of 5),
anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or
otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. Customers
with disabilities who cannot wear a cloth face mask, plastic full- face
shield, or other suitable face covering, shall be provided reasonable
accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA Title II and III).
Customers cannot be asked invasive questions about a disability or
asked to provide medical documentation or other proof of a disability.
Employees or staff that cannot wear a face covering due to a disability
may request reasonable accommodations in accordance with the
employer’s disability policies and procedures (ADA Title I). An employer’s
policies and procedures may require documentation to grant reasonable
accommodations.
WHAT ARE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE
WHO HAVE DIFFICULTY WEARING FACIAL COVERINGS?
Customers with disabilities or medical conditions who are unable
to wear a face covering must be provided with an opportunity to
receive the same goods and services as customers without disabilities
or medical conditions. Businesses should engage the customer in
an interactive process to determine possible alternative methods of
service that would allow the business to keep its employees and other
customers safe, while still providing service/goods to the customer.
This may include but is not limited to, curbside delivery, allowing pick
up of goods by a representative, telephone appointments, ordering by
telephone with delivery, or other innovative solutions.
For more guidance on the ADA and face coverings, contact the Mid-
Atlantic ADA Center or 1-800-949-4232. Employers can learn about
COVID19 and employees with disabilities, and pandemic preparedness
in the workplace and the ADA.
MAY INDIVIDUALS BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A FACE COVERING?
During the global pandemic, and in accordance with the Governor’s
Order, customers and staff can be required to wear a cloth face mask,
plastic full- face shield, or other face covering. In Pletcher v. Giant Eagle
Inc, the Federal District Court of Western Pennsylvania determined that
the face covering requirement does not violate the ADA, provided the
entity ensures reasonable accommodations are available.
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