The number of states requiring face masks is on the rise, with at least 24 states and the District of Columbia issuing statewide requirements for facial coverings in public.
Regulations vary by state, with some only requiring masks in certain indoor spaces, while others require them in all public places where social distancing isn’t possible. Some require them only in business settings.
Here are the places with statewide requirements for masks.
California
All individuals over the age of two are required to wear face masks in specified high-risk situations, according to guidance issued on June 18. High-risk situations include indoor public settings; waiting in line to enter indoor public spaces; driving or riding on public transit or inside a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle; jobs that require interacting with the public or preparing food; and when social distancing is not possible.
People with certain medical conditions and those who are working or recreating outdoors are exempt.
Connecticut
Gov. Ned Lamont (D) signed an executive order on April 17 that required face masks to be worn in all public places. Children under the age of two are exempt, along with people who have medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks.
Delaware
Gov. John Carney (D) declared a state of emergency on April 25 that required face masks be worn in all public settings when social distancing is not possible. Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear masks and those under the age of two must not wear masks due to risk of suffocation.
District of Columbia
Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) required face masks be worn in all public settings starting May 16. Children under the age of 9 are not required to wear a mask.
Hawaii
Gov. David Ige (D) signed an executive order on April 20 which required all business employees and customers to wear face coverings. Those with pre-existing health conditions or children under the age of five are not required to wear masks, nor are those participating in outdoor exercises provided they maintain a safe social distance from others.
Illinois
Gov. JB Pritzker (D) signed an executive order on April 30 that required all residents to wear face masks in public settings or when maintaining social distancing isn’t possible. Children under the age of two are exempt.
Kansas
Gov. Laura Kelly (D) issued an order on July 2 that required masks in indoor and outdoor public spaces, as well as on public transportation when social distancing is not possible. Businesses must also require customers to wear a mask. Those under the age of five are exempt, as are those with certain medical conditions.
Maine
Gov. Janet Mills (D) signed an executive order on April 29 requiring everyone older than two to wear a face mask in public “where other physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain,” and in large gatherings both indoors and outdoors. The order took effect on May 1.
Maryland
Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed an executive order on April 15 that required face masks be worn in any retail establishment or when riding public transportation starting April 18.
Children under the age of two or those unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition are exempt from the order.
Massachusetts
Gov. Charlie Baker (R) signed an order on May 1 that required people over the age of two to wear a face covering in all public places where social distancing is not possible. Those with certain medical conditions were exempt from the order that went into effect May 6.
Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed an executive order on June 17 that required residents to wear face coverings when in food-selling establishments or pharmacies.
Minnesota
Gov. Tim Walz (D) issued a statewide mask order July 22 requiring everyone to wear face coverings in indoor public settings and businesses. The order goes into effect July 25.
Nevada
Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) on June 24 issued a mandatory face mask policy for anyone in a public space.
New Jersey
An April 8 executive order made New Jersey the first state to require that workers and customers in essential businesses wear masks, mandating that anyone over the age of two wear a mask in indoor public spaces.
Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is expected to sign an additional executive order on Wednesday requiring face masks in outdoor public areas.
New Mexico
Residents are required to wear face masks in all public places. Retailers are required to ensure their customers are wearing face coverings before they are allowed inside.
The order was put in place May 15.
New York
On April 15, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) announced that the public would be required to wear face masks in public settings when social distancing is not possible.
“Another part of getting to the new normal is continuing to stop the spread of the virus, and to do that I am issuing an Executive Order that says all people in public must wear a mask or face covering,” he said.
North Carolina
North Carolina requires face masks in public spaces such as restaurants, at retail businesses and on public transportation.
Exceptions are made for children under 11 years old, people with medical conditions precluding them from wearing masks and those exercising outside while practicing social distancing.
Ohio
Gov. Mike DeWine (R) announced July 22 that everyone over the age of nine would be required to wear masks in public starting July 23 at 6 p.m., with exceptions for certain medical conditions and disabilities.
Oregon
Gov. Kate Brown (D) signed an executive order on June 30 that required face masks in public settings. Businesses are also required to provide masks to customers and employees when needed.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania required individuals to wear face masks starting July 1 in all indoor public places, and in outdoor public spaces where social distancing is not possible. Those who cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition, children under the age of two and those seeking to communicate with a person who is hearing impaired or another disability are exempt.
Rhode Island
Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) issued an executive order that went into effect May 8 requiring everyone over the age of two to wear a face covering in both indoor and outdoor public places.
Texas
People over the age of 10 are required to wear face masks in public as of July. Counties with 20 or fewer active cases of COVID-19 can choose not to comply. The executive order, issued by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on July 2, applies to commercial entities and public spaces.
Virginia
Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed an executive order that required people over the age of nine to wear a mask in public settings like restaurants, public transit and government buildings. Masks are also required outdoors when groups come within six feet of one another for more than 10 minutes.
Washington
State officials announced that face masks are required in all indoor and outdoor public spaces beginning June 26.
West Virginia
An executive order signed by Gov. Jim Justice (R) on July 7 mandates face masks in all indoor public settings. Children under the age of nine are exempt.
-Updated July 22