Masks are required to be worn when entering or moving within any public indoor space, while using or waiting to use public (buses, light-rail) or non-personal (taxis, car services, ride-shares) transportation services, and while outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from another person who’s not of the same household is not feasible. 

When should you wear a mask?

You should wear a mask or face covering whenever you’ll be around someone you don’t live with, including:

• In any indoor public space
• While exercising in an indoor public space
• While you are in a public pool area, but not swimming
• On public transportation or when ride-sharing
• When waiting in line
• When receiving health care
• Outdoors, if you are unable to stay 6 feet away from others 

When can you take off your mask?

There are times when it’s okay to take your mask off when you’re away from home, such as:

• When seated at a restaurant
• If a hearing-impaired person needs to read your lips
• When you’re not sharing a common area, room or enclosed space with others
• When you are getting a service to the nose or face
• When you are officiating at a religious service 
• When delivering a speech to an audience (performers must be 25 feet from audience)
• When you must temporarily remove your mask for identification purposes
• While you are swimming in a public pool
• When outdoors in public and can stay 6 feet from others

You should replace the mask as soon as you can after these activities to reduce the risk of infection.

What kind of mask should you wear?

• Cloth mask or face covering: Cloth face coverings should fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, include multiple layers of fabric, allow for breathing without restriction, and be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape. Face coverings need to cover the nose and mouth at all times and should remain in place until taken off safely.

The Pitkin County Public Health Order Language states: 

• Non-medical, cloth face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required to be worn in all buildings, public and private, that are open to the public. 
• Face coverings are required to be worn outside whenever there is a risk of being within 6 feet of another person who is not of the same household.
• Children who are under the age of two years and anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance are exempt from this requirement.

Link to the full public health order HERE.