California’s governor issues statewide order requiring face masks in public

SACRAMENTO, California -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a statewide order that requires Californians to wear a face covering in public settings amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In issuing the newly released order, KABC-TV said the California Department of Public Health cited what it described as a growing body of scientific research that shows that asymptomatic people can still spread the disease.

"Science shows that face coverings and masks work," said Newsom. "They are critical to keeping those who are around you safe, keeping businesses open and restarting our economy."

As for why the governor took this action now, he said: "Simply put, we are seeing too many people with faces uncovered - putting at risk the real progress we have made in fighting the disease. California's strategy to restart the economy and get people back to work will only be successful if people act safely and follow health recommendations."