Mask up to slow the spread of COVID-19. It helps the community & it’s now required.

Juneau residents are now required to wear a face covering when in a publicly accessible indoor location or an indoor communal area outside the home. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly unanimously passed the mandatory face covering emergency ordinance last night. The ordinance goes into effect immediately and expires in 90 days unless the Assembly terminates it earlier. There are exceptions for people with disabilities and young children. Read the full ordinance here.

The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from a person before they have symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State of Alaska recommend people wear a face covering when in a public setting where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, which can minimize asymptomatic individuals with COVID-19 from unknowingly spreading the disease.

Examples of places you’re now required to wear a mask include, but are not limited to:

• Grocery stores, pharmacies, and all other retail stores.
• Restaurants, cafes, bars, and breweries – including food preparation, carry-out, and delivery food operations. There is a limited exception for customers while they are eating or drinking in one of these settings.
• Buses, taxis, and other forms of public transportation when passengers are present.
• Personal care facilities.
• Child care facilities.
• Communal areas of offices where people from multiple households are present.
• Elevators and indoor communal spaces in other buildings.

The penalty for violating the ordinance is a civil fine of no more than $25. Any individual who’s issued a ticket and believe the ticket is issued in error can submit an appeal, similar to appealing a parking ticket.

The Juneau Chamber of Commerce is providing free ‘masks required’ signage to Juneau businesses. Email [email protected] to make a request.

Prior to this ordinance, CBJ was already requiring masks in several public facilities, like the public libraries, pool, and on Capital Transit. In addition, the Juneau School District last week adopted language requiring masks or similar facial coverings for all persons on Juneau School District grounds, at District facilities, or at District sponsored events.