Common Council

COVID-19 Update: MaskUpMadison

Hi Everyone,

Effective this morning at 8 AM, masks are required indoors in Dane County under these circumstances:

Per the order, people five years of age and older must wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in public, which includes in businesses, health care settings, waiting in line, and on public transportation. This order goes into effect on July 13, 2020 at 8:00am.

Exceptions are made for certain activities such as eating at a restaurant, but during those activities, 6 feet distancing is required at all times. Some people are also exempted if they have a physical, mental, or developmental condition that prevents them from wearing a mask.

Please see our current order for more information.

Enforcement of This Policy

Public Health's Role

Public Health Madison & Dane County have established a complaint team that will evaluate the complaints and determine the best way to provide education to individuals and businesses that are noncompliant with the face covering section of the Order. The goal of this team is to ensure that face coverings are worn when required by providing education first before looking towards enforcement. When necessary, enforcement will generally focus on businesses or individuals that despite attempts to educate continue to violate the Order, such as businesses who do not require customers and/or staff to wear masks at large indoor events or gatherings. If a citation is issued within the City of Madison the ticket amount would be $376, if it is issued outside of the City under the County ordinance the ticket amount is $263.50.

Your Role as an Individual

You should not ask someone why they aren't wearing a mask. It is not your job to intervene if someone isn't wearing a mask. Some people have conditions or circumstances that would make wearing a cloth face covering difficult or dangerous. Your job is to wear your mask and stay six feet away from others. See this section for more information.

Mask Discrimination and Equity

Not everyone is required to wear a face mask. Some people with disabilities, physical or mental conditions, and very young people (under 5) are not required to wear masks because doing so may cause harm to that person. Federal law requires businesses provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. This may mean providing an alternate form of service (e.g., curbside pickup or delivery instead of in person shopping) to a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask.

People wearing masks are doing so to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. Assume that someone is wearing a mask to protect themselves from COVID-19. Do not assume that they are wearing a mask to conceal their identity, commit crimes, or because they have COVID-19 and are contagious. Businesses should not require that customers remove masks upon entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to I need to wear a face covering?
You are required to wear a face covering for the entire duration of the time you're in an indoor setting with people you don't live with. You also need to wear a face covering if you're outside waiting in a line to go into an establishment. We strongly recommend wearing a face covering when you're in an outdoor setting where you're unable to maintain six feet of distance from people you don't live with. Remember, with any gathering, physical distancing is required.

Do I need to wear a mask indoors even if I can physical distance at all times?
Yes, if you are with individuals not from your household or living unit.

Am I required to wear a mask when I am using public transportation, a taxi or a school bus?
Yes, you are required to wear a mask when driving or riding on public transportation or in a paratransit vehicle, a taxi, a private car service vehicle, a ride-sharing vehicle, or any other for hire vehicle.

Do individuals that have already tested positive for COVID-19 still have to wear a mask?
Yes.

When is a face covering not needed?

You do not need to wear one:

• At home, when you do not have guests
• In your car alone or if you're only with members of your household
• If you are in an office space with a closed door where no one could enter the space

We strongly recommend wearing a face covering when you are outdoors and unable to stay six feet from people you don't live with. It's a good idea to keep a face covering with you at all times so it's ready to use in case you run into a situation where distancing isn't possible.

Do I need to wear a mask when I'm just going over to someone's house?
Yes, if you're going inside their home. We strongly recommend wearing one if you're gathering outside and are unable to maintain six feet of distance from people you don't live with. Remember, with any gathering, physical distancing is required.

Do I need to wear a mask while walking my dog, out for a jog, etc.
The order does not require a mask outside unless you are waiting in a line. It's a good idea to keep one with you in case you need it, like if your dog's leash gets tangled up with another dog or you run into a chatty neighbor.

Is my employer required to provide me with a face covering if I need to wear one at work?
Yes. See our workplace requirements for more information.

I'm not able to wear a mask for medical condition, mental health reason, or disability. Do I need documentation about why I can't wear a mask?
No.

Are face shields considered a face covering?
No. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , it is not known if face shields provide any benefit as source control to protect others from the spray of respiratory particles. CDC does not recommend use of face shields for normal everyday activities or as a substitute for cloth face coverings. 

Can I wear a mask that has a valve?
Technically this meets the requirements of the order because it covers your nose and mouth. However, we recommend not using this type of mask because droplets and particles can get through. We recommend a cloth face covering instead or on top of a mask with a valve. 

My goggles or glasses fog up when I wear a mask. What can I do?
Here are some tips. 

Is a space that has some open walls considered an outdoor space?
No, a space must be completely open on all sides to be outdoors. Opening windows does not create an outdoor space. 

Are masks required inside gyms and yoga studios?
Yes. The order provides the following exemption: Individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering.

Do I need to wear a mask while swimming or in a pool?
No. A mask should be used as you are coming to and going from the pool.  

I live in an apartment or condo with multiple units.  Am I required to wear a mask in the common areas (hallways, lobby, etc.)?  
Yes. The Order requires you to wear a mask in any indoor space where other people, except for members of the person's own household or living unit, could be present.

If I am in an enclosed office alone with a door do I need to wear a mask?  
Staff would only need to use a face covering if indoors and could come into contact with others who are not part of their household or living unit. If staff are in an office space with a closed door where no one could enter the space then no mask is needed. 

How do I wear a mask while I'm eating or at a restaurant?
You can remove your mask while eating and drinking. You should wear it when waiting for your food or in transit inside a restaurant.

Do I need to wear a mask when I am picking up food outside using curbside service?
A mask is not required, but recommended.

Are workers that sleep at their place of employment (for example: EMS, firefighters, paramedics) required to wear masks while sleeping?
No.  Physical distancing must be maintained. 

What do I do if I see someone not wearing a mask, even though they should be?
Nothing. Some people have conditions or circumstances that would make wearing a cloth face covering difficult or dangerous. Just wear your mask and stay six feet away.

Children, Childcare, and Schools

How do I get my child to wear a face covering?
The order requires children five and older to wear face coverings, and we know this may be difficult. It's always helpful to explain to kids why you're asking them to do something. In this case, you can explain that wearing a face covering will help keep them from getting other people sick. It can be helpful to relate the explanation to people who are close to them, like grandparents or parents. Even though their grandparent might live in another state, you can explain that the people they pass in the grocery store or doctor's office might be another person's grandparent, and we want to keep those grandparents safe. We like these additional tips from KidsHealth  and Childrens' Minnesota .

Does my child need to wear a mask on a school bus?
Yes, children five and older are required to wear a mask when riding on public transportation or in a school bus, paratransit vehicle, a taxi, a private car service vehicle, a ride-sharing vehicle, or any other for hire vehicle.

Does my child need to wear a mask to go to daycare?
Masks are required for children five years and older. Children younger than two should never wear a face covering due to risk of suffocation. Children who are two, three, or four years old, with the assistance and close supervision of an adult, are strongly recommend to wear a face covering at all times when it is difficult to maintain distancing.

Are children required to wear masks during nap time?
No.  Physical distancing must be maintained. 

Can I sign a waiver so my child does not need to wear a mask at their child care or school?
No, signing a waiver will not supersede the Dane County masking ordinance. Exceptions are for individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask.

What if the child care center or school has a classroom with mixed ages?
Anyone over the age of five in the classroom are required to wear a face covering. Children who are two, three, or four years old, with the assistance and close supervision of an adult, are strongly recommend to wear a face covering at all times when it is difficult to maintain distancing. It is up to your child care center if you want children over the age of two to wear a face covering in classrooms with mixed ages.

I work as a nanny.  Am I required to wear a mask in the home of the family I work for?  
Yes, whenever you are in an indoor space with individuals that are not part of your household or living unit, you are required to wear a mask.  

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to me at 608.424.2580 or district13@cityofmadison.com.

Stay safe. Be Well. Be kind.

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