During a June 9 press conference, Interim Orange County Health Officer Clayton Chau addressed his pending approval for reopening more businesses in the county, and gave an update to the county’s face mask requirement. 

Earlier this week, public outcry regarding a mandatory face mask ordinance resulted in the resignation the county’s health officer. Now, the county’s new health officer says it will no longer require residents to wear face masks.

Dr. Clayton Chau, M.D., Ph.D., who also serves as the county’s health director, spoke during a press conference on Thursday, June 11.

“I’m pleased to share that I am approving the opening of certain additional industries here in Orange County effective tomorrow. Some examples of the industries that may now open include: Movie theaters and family entertainment centers, restaurants, wineries and bars,” he said.    

Chau’s update addresses the county’s May 28 ordinance, which was issued by former County Officer Dr. Nichole Quick — which triggered public outcry.

The May 28 ordinance read: “All Orange County residents and visitors shall wear a cloth face-covering outside their home when they are not able to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance from another person who is not a family/household member or does not reside in the same living unit.” 

The new order will not require most residents to wear cloth face coverings. However, it will “strongly recommend” face coverings.

“The forthcoming health officer order will no longer require that most residents wear face coverings but strongly recommend that they should when they are outside of their home,” Chau said during the June 9 press conference.

He explained that the decision to update the mask order was not due to public backlash.

“I want to be clear, this does not diminish the importance of face coverings. I stand with the public health experts and believe wearing cloth face covering helps slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community and save lives,” he said.

Asked about the backlash on the previous order, Chau said he acknowledged the lack of enforcement around the requirement. Yet he insisted the amended order had nothing to do with pubic opinion.

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