Where face coverings are required .... and where they are not

Despite controversy around state and local mandates for face coverings in public, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that they are effective tools in the prevention of COVID-19.

Taking its cue from the CDC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recommended that construction workers wear masks or other face coverings when not able to maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet from others on the job.

This, however, is not mandatory and is not included in any of the standards the federal safety agency enforces with inspections, citations and fines.

But the lack of a nationwide standard for employers or the general public hasn't stopped states from implementing their own mask requirements.

In states where there is no public mask mandate, some counties and cities have stepped in to institute their own. Contractors and their employees should be aware of these orders as they move about their projects and travel to and from work.

Here's a round up of mask requirements — or lack thereof — in each state, as well as other rules relevant to the construction industry. Each state name contains a link to its corresponding health department web page with the latest COVID-19 guidance. This list is current as of Dec. 1.

Alabama

Everyone 6 and older must wear a mask in outdoor and indoor public spaces when it is not possible to maintain a 6-foot distance. There are some limited exceptions such as for exercise or medical restrictions.

Alaska: No statewide mandate

The only Alaska mandate applies to those working in or visiting state offices. While the state does not mandate the use of masks for the general public, it recommends it. Local jurisdictions like the municipality of Anchorage have imposed their own mask mandates.

Arizona: No statewide mandate

The state requires face coverings in schools and for some businesses, but only recommends their use for the general public. Counties like Maricopa (Phoenix) and Pima (Tucson) have initiated their own mask requirements.

Arkansas

Residents older than 10 years of age must wear masks when they will be exposed to non-household members in both indoor and outdoor spaces where a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained. There are limited exceptions for eating, drinking and other activities.

California

Californians 2 years and older must wear masks when they are outside their home. Excluded from the mandate are those who must use their mouths to communicate, workers while they are wearing respirators and those working in a room alone.

California also has emergency COVID-19 standards for construction.

Colorado

Those 11 years of age and older must wear a mask in indoor public spaces and while using or waiting to use mass transit or rideshare services. The order, which Gov. Jared Polis extended until at least Dec. 9, is also in place for state workers, as well as mass transportation employees and contractors. Counties that meet certain transmission benchmarks may be able to opt out.

Connecticut

Individuals 2 years of age and older must wear a mask or cloth face covering when in public, indoor and outdoor, when social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained. Those claiming a medical exemption must provide written documentation from a medical provider.

Delaware

The Delaware mandate requires masks in indoor and outdoor public settings, as well as in private residences when 10 or more people who do not live together are gathered. Face coverings are not required outdoors when 6 feet of social distance can be maintained.

Florida: No statewide mandate

While some counties and cities have mask orders in place, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has prohibited them from enforcing those mandates.

Georgia: No statewide mandate

There is no state mandate for the wearing of face coverings, but the state has allowed some counties and municipalities to issue their own orders.

Hawaii

Everyone 5 years of age and older must wear a mask or compliant face covering when in public when it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of distance from others, with limited exceptions.

Idaho: No statewide mandate

Idaho does not have a state mask mandate but requires masks in long-term care facilities. Cities, including Boise, have their own mask requirements.

Illinois

Those older than the age of 2 and without a medical exception must wear masks or face coverings when in a public place and unable to maintain a 6-foot social distance.

Indiana

Those 8 years of age and older must wear masks when in indoor public spaces, as well as in outdoor spaces when a 6-foot distance from others cannot be maintained, with limited exceptions.

Iowa

Masks must be worn in public areas and when in the presence of those who are not a member of the household for 15 minutes or more. Exceptions include those younger than two years of age, those engaged in exercise and religious services.

Kansas

Those older than 5 years of age must wear a mask in indoor public spaces and outdoor spaces where maintaining a 6-foot distance is not possible. The order has some limited exceptions. Legal issues around Gov. Laura Kelly’s first order resulted in many counties rejecting the mandate, but her second order recognizes that counties might have different mask needs.

Kentucky

The state requires individuals older than 5 years of age, when a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained, to wear a mask in public indoor and outdoor spaces. Kentucky also allows for exemptions related to medical reasons, exercise and certain other conditions.

Louisiana

Louisiana requires anyone 8 years and older to wear a mask in commercial and public spaces, both indoor and outdoor, when a physical distance of 6 feet from non-household members cannot be maintained. Gov. John Bel Edwards revised the mask mandate to bar counties from opting out of the order if their transmission rates were below a certain level.

Maine

Maine requires that all individuals 5 years and older wear masks in indoor and outdoor public settings. A recent revision to the original order eliminates the exception when there is an ability to social distance.

Maryland

Those in Maryland older than the age of 5 must wear masks when in public indoor and outdoor spaces. In outdoor areas, individuals must wear masks when social distancing is not possible. There are limited exceptions including for certain medical conditions and disabilities.

Massachusetts

Masks are required for those older than 5 years of age when in public indoor and outdoor spaces. Like Maine, Massachusetts revised its order to require the wearing of masks even when social distancing is possible.

Michigan

Despite questions over the validity of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s first mask order, she replaced that with a second order that requires those 5 years of age and older to wear a mask in most indoor and outdoor public settings.

The state has also implemented emergency standards that affect construction jobsites.

Minnesota

Most individuals older than 5 years of age must wear masks when in indoor public and commercial spaces and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

Mississippi: No statewide mandate

There is no statewide mandate in Mississippi, but Gov. Tate Reeves strongly encourages their use. According to the most recent order, however, masks are required in several counties where transmission rates are high and in certain venues like schools.

Missouri: No statewide mandate

While the state encourages the use of masks, social distancing and other measures, there is no official order to do so. Counties, however, including Jefferson County (St. Louis), have passed their own mask mandates.

Montana

Masks are required for most individuals 5 years of age and older when indoors and during outdoor gatherings of 25 people or more. A recent revision does not allow for an exemption in counties where transmission rates are low as a previous order did.

Nebraska: No statewide mandate

Nebraska does not have a state mask mandate, but all of its counties have enacted their own measures regarding face coverings and other preventative measures.

Nevada

Most of those age 10 and older are required to wear masks when indoors and when outdoors and not able to maintain 6 feet of distance between those not from their own household.

New Hampshire

All those over the age of 5 must wear masks in public indoor and outdoor spaces when they are not able to consistently maintain 6 feet of physical distance from those who are from different households.

New Jersey

Individuals older than 2 years must wear masks when in indoor and outdoor public areas when it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of social distance.

The state also requires that construction workers and visitors to jobsites wear masks as well.

New Mexico

Most individuals must wear a mask in public indoor and outdoor spaces except when eating, drinking or swimming and when maintaining a 6-foot distance.

New York

Those older than the age of 2 and able to “medically tolerate” a mask must wear one in public and when not able to maintain a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

North Carolina

Most people 5 years of age and older must wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of whether they can keep 6 feet away from someone who is a non-household member. They must also wear masks when in outdoor public spaces when social distancing is not possible.

North Dakota

Those older than 4 years of age must wear masks when in public indoor spaces and in outdoor spaces when it is not possible to maintain 6 feet of distance between themselves and others. Those exempt from the order include individuals with medical conditions and disabilities that do not allow it.

Ohio

Most individuals 10 years or older must wear a mask when in public indoor spaces and when outdoors and unable to maintain a 6-foot distance from those not in one’s household.

Oklahoma: No statewide mandate

There is no statewide mask mandate in Oklahoma, but at least one municipality, Oklahoma City, has issued its own mask mandate.

Oregon

Oregon requires those 5 years of age and older to wear masks when in public indoor spaces and when unable to maintain a 6-foot distance from others in outdoor spaces.

The state has also implemented emergency standards that affect construction jobsites.

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania mask order requires those 2 years of age and older to wear masks when in public indoor spaces and in outside spaces when consistent social distancing is not possible. Individuals must also wear masks in their homes if they will be around non-household members.