Public Health Order Frequently Asked Questions

Last content update: 02/28/2023

Public Health Order of September 12, 2022

Does the Health Officer’s September 12, 2022 Order Requiring Use of Face Coverings in Higher-Risk Settings allow people in healthcare facilities and other higher-risk settings to remove their face coverings to eat and drink?

Yes. Although the Health Officer strongly recommends that people remain masked at all times in higher-risk settings, the Order does allow people to remove their face coverings while they are actively eating or drinking. The Order does not prohibit the use of breakrooms to eat, but the Health Officer strongly recommends that facilities put protocols in place to prohibit or limit gathering in breakrooms or any other indoor space to eat, as substantial transmission has been observed in breakrooms in the past.

Access and Functional Needs

With some State and County COVID-19 rules still in effect, do businesses and public entities still need to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Yes. The Health Officer’s Order makes no changes to ADA requirements, and the ADA remains in full force countywide. Businesses and public entities must comply with their usual ADA obligations, even if they are making changes to their facilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit here for further information on ADA requirements for businesses.

I use a wheelchair van or other adapted vehicle. Will I be able to use drop-in COVID-19 testing sites?

Some drop-in sites may be able to accommodate wheelchair vans and other adapted vehicles. You should contact those drop-in sites directly before planning your visit.

I use a wheelchair/powerchair or have another physical disability. Will I be able to use drop-in COVID-19 testing and vaccination sites?

Some of the testing and vaccination drop-in sites may be accessible for people with disabilities and those with other access or functional needs. Please contact those drop-in sites directly before planning your visit.

I rely on public transportation or paratransit to get around. If I want to get tested for or vaccinated against COVID-19, how can I arrange transportation to a testing site?

Please see the County’s testing website and this flowchart for directions on how to secure transportation to a testing site. Similarly, please visit the County’s COVID-19 vaccine website for information about how to secure free door-to-door transportation to your vaccination appointment. If you still have further questions, please contact the County’s Access and Functional Needs Coordinator at [email protected].

How is the County making sure that its communications about COVID-19 are accessible to people with language access or language processing needs?

The County is taking many steps to ensure that its communications are accessible to every member of the community. The Public Health Department’s entire COVID-19 website is fully translated into five different languages (English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog), and postings include Alt Text functionality. The public may also use 711 for Hearing and Speech Relay Service. The County has regularly conducted online presentations to share important information in a video-based format, and video press conferences include real-time ASL interpretation. The County has also designed signs, flyers, and posters that include informative graphics alongside text to ensure that they are as comprehensible as possible to all.

Does the County offer its COVID-19 materials in accessible formats (hard copies, large print, etc.)?

Yes. If you have an access or functional need and require the County’s COVID-19 materials in an accessible format, please contact the Access and Functional Needs Coordinator at [email protected] for assistance.

Do I need a doctor’s note to enter a business without a face covering if I have a medical condition or a disability that prevents me from wearing a face covering?

No. Businesses should not require you to present a doctor’s note once you explain that you cannot wear a face covering for medical or disability-related reasons. Please see the State’s Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings for more information.

I run a retail business, and I’m not comfortable allowing anyone into my store without a face covering. What can my business do to accommodate shoppers who can’t wear face coverings for medical or disability-related reasons?

If a customer is unable to wear a face covering for a medical or disability-related reason, retailers may not deny entry to that customer just because they are not wearing a face covering. But retailers are strongly encouraged to offer accommodations to these customers so that they can access the retailer’s services without entering the business facility. Accommodations may include things like offering delivery services, or accepting customers’ shopping lists over the phone or at curbside and bringing the items outside to the customer so they don’t need to enter the store.

I’m not comfortable going shopping in person because I am still not fully vaccinated and cannot wear a face covering for a medical or disability-related reason. Are there any resources to help me with my shopping?

Delivery services offered by retail and grocery stores are good options for people who are not comfortable shopping in person. There are also free resources, like helpinghands.community, a community-based non-profit that provides delivery and other support services.

I cannot wear a face mask for a medical or disability-related reason. Am I required to wear one?

Face coverings are an important tool for stopping the spread of COVID-19, especially for those who are not vaccinated OR vaccinated and booster-eligible but have not yet received their booster dose, and anyone who is able to wear a face covering safely must do so when required by the State’s Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings. However, where face coverings are required, there are exemptions for persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering (including people who would be unable to remove a face covering without assistance), and for persons who are hearing impaired or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired.

I have a question related to access and functional needs. Where can I go for assistance?

The following resources are available to people with questions related to access and functional needs:

For assistance locating or accessing community resources, contact the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center, www.211.org, or the San Andreas Regional Center.
For topics related to seniors (such as In-Home Supportive Services or Senior Nutrition Services), contact the County’s Department of Aging and Adult Services.
For topics related to long term care facilities, contact the California Department of Aging Ombudsman at 1-800-231-4024.
For topics related to SNAP, Medi-Cal, or other benefits, please contact the County’s Department of Employment and Benefit Services.

To report a business operating in violation of the ADA, please contact the city in which the business is located.

What steps can I take to be as prepared as possible in case of an emergency?

Emergency preparedness is important for everyone, and it is especially vital for people with access and functional needs who may need additional preparations to stay safe during an emergency. All County residents are encouraged to sign up for notifications, which is a free and easy way to get emergency alerts sent directly to your cell phone or mobile device, landline, or email. You can sign up for AlertSCC notifications here. In addition, the County Office of Emergency Management’s website has resources to help all County residents design a disaster safety plan for their families and loved ones. The following are more specific preparedness guides for people with access and functional needs:

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