Supervisor Perez voices support for mandatory face cover order
Supervisor Manny Perez says he now supports a mandatory face covering order in Riverside County. This comes just one day before the Riverside County Board of Supervisors is set to vote on a proposal by Supervisor Perez that would revoke some county health orders, including mandatory face covering.
Supervisors Perez and Karen Spiegel announced the order on Thursday as part of efforts to help reopen the economy.
If passed, the proposal would eliminate orders such as the closure of schools, limitations on short term lodging, restrictions on golf courses, and the requirement of face masks and social distancing.
The proposal would align the county to Governor Newsom's less stringent stay-at-home order, in which face coverings are recommended, but not mandatory.
Perez told News Channel 3's Jake Ingrassia on Monday afternoon that the change in opinion comes after further looking into the data.
"If we’re moving into phase 2, or opportunities to move into phase 2 in certain industries will have that opportunity, it only makes sense to me that we make it mandatory that we keep facial coverings because it not only keeps the customer feeling confident that they’re going to be safe as a customer, but also the worker," Perez said.
Phase 2 refers to Governor Gavin Newsom's roadmap to recovery phases. On Monday, Newsom announced Phase 2 of reopening could start as earlier as Friday.
Phase 2 of CA's roadmap to recovery would see the reopening of:
○ Retail (e.g. curbside pickup)
○ Manufacturing
○ Offices (when telework not possible)
○ Opening more public spaces
Full details: Gov. Newsom to allow some businesses to open on Friday with modifications
With the reopening of some businesses set to arrive soon. Perez told News Channel 3 that he has talked with both workers and business owners to learn more about how they feel about the face covering orders.
"For the most part, I've heard from both ends saying that making mandatory facial coverings would actually be acceptable they would support that," Perez said.
Watch News Channel 3 live at 6 p.m. for continuing coverage.
The Board of Supervisors vote is scheduled to take place Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. We'll have full coverage starting at Noon on News Channel 3.
Symptoms
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
You can call the Centers for Disease Control with any questions at 211 and 800–CDC –INFO (800 – 232 – 4636).
If you want to be seen at Eisenhower Health, call their 24-hour coronavirus hotline first at 760-837-8988 or 760-TEST988. Avoid the spread of this illness.
These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, according to the CDC.
How to get tested
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
You can get a test even if you do not have symptoms. Testing was expanded to include all residents on April 17.
Riverside County has testing sites in Indio, Blythe, Perris, Riverside, and Lake Elsinore.
Another testing site is set to open in Coachella, on 85365 Dillon Road. The Coachella site will be open Fridays and Saturdays beginning May 1. Call (833) 624-1097 to set-up a testing appointment.
If you want to get tested at one of the other five Riverside County testing sites, you will need to call 800-945-6171 to set up an appointment. Officials said the turnaround time for test results is typically 3-4 days.
