Keeping current on the frequent changes to COVID-19 business requirements can be very challenging. The return to indoor masking requirements on July 17, 2021, in Los Angeles County has been widely publicized. Even so, Los Angeles businesses may not be aware that the county is currently enforcing the indoor masking requirements through onsite inspections of county businesses. 

In fact, during the short period between July 17, 2021 and July 23, 2021, Los Angeles County reports that its Department of Public Health inspectors visited 1,013 restaurants, 9 bars, 222 food markets, 22 hotels, 5 gyms and fitness centers, 11 hair salons or barbershops, 38 food manufacturing plants, 25 personal care businesses, and 10 shopping malls, among other businesses.

Although overall compliance was found to be good, the county reported that the most common violations were (i) face masks not provided by employers, (ii) employees not wearing a face mask, and (iii) businesses not posting signage instructing customers to wear a face mask. 

Violations of the Los Angeles County Health Order reinstating masking requirements indoors are punishable by fine, imprisonment or both. The latest Order reinstating masking requirements indoors can be found here.

The author would like to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Joanne Warriner.