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Masks for people who work with the public are not optional, Gov says

wearing a mask
Posted at 10:53 AM, Jun 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-23 11:53:48-04

Yesterday we told you about an Acadiana restaurant that isn't allowing its employees to wear masks.

We've spoken with the governor's office about that Abbeville restaurant's decision to prohibit masks.

"The order is perfectly clear: any employee who has interaction with the public must wear face coverings," spokeswoman Shauna Sanford tells KATC.

People with diagnosed, medical respiratory issues are exempt - but they also should not be around the public, because they're at higher risk, Sanford said.

The governor has repeatedly said "you should not patronize a business if you feel they are not taking necessary precautions to keep you safe."

Sanford added that you can register a complaint with the State Fire Marshal's Office, but she also repeated what the governor has said at almost every press conference on COVID-19.

"The governor says we can't enforce our way out of this," she said. "We need people and businesses to comply with these mitigation measures because we know they work. We really need individuals and businesses to work with us and help each other."

Wearing a mask greatly reduces the spread of the virus, because it is mainly passed through the droplets that come out of our mouths when we cough, sneeze, talk, sing, etc., she said.

If you'd like to read the CDC's recommendations on masks, click here. This page also includes information on how to make your own face covering.