51 Face Mask Wearing Rules of the USA

*10-Minute Read*

(Photo Credit: cleveland.com)

There is no nationwide mandate requiring mask wearing in public settings. Thus, it has been up to each state to decide whether to make it a law. But which states enforce that and which don't? I've decided to compile all of them up for you. 

1) Alabama 

Everyone over age six who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in indoor public places, in outdoor public places with ten or more people, and on public transportation. Face coverings include store-bought and homemade masks, scarves, bandannas, t-shirts, and face shields. 

2) Alaska

The state recommends, but does not require mask wearing. However, it is mandatory in Anchorage and Juneau.

3) Arizona

The governor decided that allowing local governments to decide whether to implement mask wearing or not was better than a statewide mandate. The counties and cities that require it can be found here.

4) Arkansas

Everyone must wear face coverings in all indoor and outdoor places where they are exposed to non-household members. Those exempt from this requirement are children under age ten, people who cannot medically tolerate face coverings, and people who are in counties where the Arkansas Department of Health has certified that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is low. 

5) California

Everyone over age two who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public places. Face coverings include homemade or factory-made cloth masks made out of cotton, linen, or silk; scarves; t-shirts; sweatshirts; and towels. 

6) Colorado

Everyone over age ten who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings when entering or moving in a public indoor place and on public transportation. Face coverings are homemade or factory-made cloth and disposable masks, bandannas, and scarves. This rule will be in place until, at least, September 13th. 

7) Connecticut

Everyone over age one who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear cloth face coverings in public places and on public transportation. Those who are exempt for medical reasons are required to show a doctor's note to others. This rule will be in place until, at least, Valentine's Day of 2021. 

8) Delaware

Everyone over age twelve who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in indoor public places, in crowded outdoor public places, and on public transportation. Face coverings include factory-made or homemade cloth masks made out of cotton, silk, or linen; scarves; bandannas; t-shirts; sweatshirts; and towels. 

9) District of Columbia

Everyone must wear masks in indoor public places, in crowded outdoor public places, and on public transportation. Those exempt from this requirement include children under age three, people who cannot medically tolerate wearing masks, and people who cannot remove their masks without assistance.

10) Florida

The governor does not plan to issue a statewide mandate. The counties and cities that require mask wearing can be found here. 

11) Georgia 

The state strongly encourages, but does not require wearing face coverings in public. The counties and cities that require it can be found here.

12) Hawaii

Everyone over age four who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in most public settings. Face coverings include homemade cloth masks, scarves, and bandannas. 

13) Idaho

Though the governor has pleaded to everyone in Idaho to wear masks, there is no statewide mandate. The cities that require it can be found here.

14) Illinois

Everyone over age two who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. Face coverings include homemade cloth masks, bandannas, scarves, and t-shirts.  

15) Indiana

Everyone over age seven who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear cloth masks or face shields in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. 

16) Iowa

The governor does not "believe that a one-size-fits-all from a government mandate is the right direction." However, Johnson County and the cities of Dubuque and Mount Vernon require its citizens and visitors to wear face coverings.  

17) Kansas

Everyone over age five who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. Face coverings include cloth masks made from cotton, linen, or silk; scarves; bandannas; t-shirts; sweatshirts; and towels. 

18) Kentucky

Everyone over age five who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places, in public outdoor places, and on public transportation. Face coverings include cloth masks made from cotton, linen, or silk; scarves; bandanas; and t-shirts. This rule will be in place until, at least, September 10th. 

19) Louisiana 

Everyone must wear face coverings in public indoor places and in crowded outdoor places. Face coverings include cloth masks, scarves, and t-shirts. Those exempt from this requirement are children under age eight, people who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, and people in Grant Parish. 

20) Maine

Everyone must wear factory-made or homemade cloth face coverings in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. Those exempt from this requirement are children under age three, people who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, and people who cannot remove their masks without assistance.

21) Maryland

Everyone over age five who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. Face coverings include cloth masks, scarves, bandannas, t-shirts, tablecloths, curtains, and plastic full-face shields.  

22) Massachusetts 

Everyone over age one who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. Face coverings include masks, scarves, and bandannas. 

23) Michigan 

Everyone over age four who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation.  

24) Minnesota

Everyone must wear face coverings in public indoor places and on public transportation, unless alone. Face coverings include paper, disposable, and cloth masks; neck gaiters; scarves; bandannas; religious face coverings; and face shields. Those exempt from this requirement are children under age six, people who cannot medically tolerate face coverings, and people who cannot remove their face coverings without assistance. 

25) Mississippi 

23 out of 82 counties must wear masks in public, as the governor will only mandate those with the highest increases in new COVID-19 cases. 

26) Missouri 

The state recommends, but does not require wearing cloth face coverings in public. The counties and cities that require it can be found here.

27) Montana

Everyone must wear cloth face coverings in indoor public places and crowded public outdoor places. Those exempt from this requirement include children under age five, people who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, and residents and visitors in counties where there are three or less active COVID-19 cases. 

28) Nebraska 

The governor is not enforcing a statewide mandate, as he believes that people need to learn to follow Coronavirus guidelines without the government stepping in. However, some areas like Lancaster County and the city of Omaha require mask wearing. 

29) Nevada

Everyone over age nine who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public places and transportation, whether publicly or privately owned. Face coverings include cloth and surgical masks, towels, scarves, bandannas, and face shields. 

30) New Hampshire

The governor stated that a statewide mandate isn't necessary, though he did start a mask-wearing social media campaign. A map of the cities that require it can be found here.

31) New Jersey

Everyone over age one who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. 

32) New Mexico

Everyone must wear cloth face coverings in public. 

33) New York

Everyone over age two who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public places and on public transportation. Face coverings include cloth and surgical masks, N-95 respirators, paper coverings, face shields, bandannas, and scarves. 

34) North Carolina

Everyone over age four who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. Face coverings include cloth masks made of cotton, linen, or silk; scarves; t-shirts; sweatshirts; towels; and face shields. 

35) North Dakota 

The governor stated that there will not be a statewide mandate. 

36) Ohio 

Everyone over age nine who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in non-residential indoor places, in crowded public outdoor places, and on public transportation. 

37) Oklahoma

The governor is opposed to a statewide mandate. However, the cities of Altus, Anadarko, Midwest City, Norman, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Warr Acres require mask wearing. 

38) Oregon

Everyone over age four who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear cloth masks or face shields in public indoor places and crowded public outdoor places. 

39) Pennsylvania 

Everyone over age one who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places and crowded public outdoor places. Face coverings include cloth masks made out of cotton, silk, or linen; scarves; bandannas; t-shirts; sweatshirts; towels; and disposable face shields. 

40) Rhode Island

Everyone over age one who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear cloth masks in public indoor places and crowded public outdoor places.

41) South Carolina

The governor has somewhat imposed a statewide mandate, requiring face coverings to be worn in all restaurants and entertainment venues. A list of all the counties and cities with stricter policies can be found here. 

42) South Dakota

The state recommends, but does not require wearing face masks in most public settings. 

43) Tennessee

The governor is not considering a statewide mandate, but did give mayors in 89 counties the option to implement mandates. The counties that have done so can be found here.

44) Texas

Everyone over age nine who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public indoor places and crowded public outdoor places. Face coverings include cloth masks, pillow cases, and bandannas. Those exempt from this requirement are children under age ten, people who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, and people in counties with less than 21 cases. 

45) Utah

The governor was considering a statewide mandate in July, but nothing has been implemented. The counties and cities that require mask wearing can be found here.

46) Vermont

Everyone must wear face coverings in public indoor places and crowded public outdoor places. Face coverings include cloth masks and face shields. Those exempt from this requirement are children under age two, people who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, and people who cannot remove their face masks without assistance. 

47) Virginia

Everyone over age nine who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public. Face coverings include paper and cloth masks. 

48) Washington

Everyone over age four who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in public. Face coverings include factory-made and homemade sewn masks and several layers of fabric tied around a person's head. 

49) West Virginia

Everyone over age eight who can medically tolerate something over the nose and mouth must wear face coverings in indoor public places. 

50) Wisconsin

Everyone must wear face coverings in public indoor places and crowded public outdoor places. Face coverings include cloth, paper, and disposable masks; bandannas; neck gaiters; and religious face coverings. Those exempt from this requirement are children under age five, people who cannot medically tolerate a face covering, and people who are unable to remove face coverings without assistance. 

51) Wyoming

The governor stated that a statewide mandate "is on the table" on a community-to-community basis. Jackson Hole is one community that does require mask wearing.   

Remember that if you can practice social distancing, the masks can probably be taken off. Yay! 

- Liv