State and local rules go before CDC guidelines, here's what local businesses have to say

The Centers for Disease Control updated its mask-wearing guidelines on May 13. As of that update, people who are fully vaccinated can stop wearing a mask when they are indoors.

However, it is not a requirement to take your mask off. You can continue using it if you wish, and must still use your mask if required by state or local business rules.

ICYMI: Target, CVS end mask requirements for fully vaccinated customers, joining Walmart, Starbucks and more

Companies such as Starbucks, Walmart and Trader Joe’s have announced new in-shop mask flexibilities. Yet local shops – who depend on local customers and have much smaller working teams than these big companies – can have a different approach to in-shop mask wearing.

Additionally, California is keeping its mask mandate in place until June 15, state authorities said on Monday, May 17. In California, the latest mask mandate from May 3, "face coverings are no longer required outdoors except at crowded events, and for unvaccinated people, when physical distancing cannot be maintained," California Health and Human Services secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly stated.

#California will keep our existing guidance around masks in place until June 15th. To learn more: https://t.co/U11vK8yrEKpic.twitter.com/lwIVoVtOe9

— CA Public Health (@CAPublicHealth) May 17, 2021

As the CDC updated, local regulations and businesses can rule over the CDC’s guidance. The Record gave some of our neighboring shops a call, here’s what they had to share.

Eric Firpo from In Season – the plant nursery on Alpine Avenue by Oak Park – is fully vaccinated. “I personally have stopped wearing a mask based on the CDC rules, but I am not sure... I am confused about what the rules are, honestly,” he said. Most customers at his shop are still wearing masks, as is his staff.

When customers ask if they can take their mask off when shopping for plants and supplies, Firpo asks the customer has been partially or fully vaccinated makes a decition based on the answer. Also, a lot of the space at his nursery is outdoors. “We spend so much of our time outside that it is pretty safe to not have a mask on,” he said.

Firpo said he was going to re-check the current regulations as soon as possible to make sure his business continued to comply. In Season may have some flexibility with their outdoor space, but things are different for some strictly indoor shops.

For example, Lush Studio – the eyelash studio now turned plant shop on Grand Canal Boulevard – is an indoor business and does not have a large outdoor nursery similar to In Season's. “As of now, masks are required to be worn at all times inside the shop,” owner Tina Phon stated.

Carnicería La Sierra, a Mexican butcher shop that shares its sidewalk with In Season, does have an outdoor grill they use to prepare goods they sell but customers exclusively shop indoors. They are asking customers to always wear a mask and “we’ll still be asking people to wear a mask,” employee Brenda Zavala said.

Tim Ulmer – owner of Ulmer Photo – is still complying. He and his customers were still wearing masks when he talked with The Record. “Everybody’s been respectful” at his shop, he said. Ulmer is a leukemia survivor and is conscientious about the spread of COVID-19. “It's easier to continue at it (wearing masks) for a month or two.”

“Right now, masks are still required,” at Superior Thrift Store, manager Ken Schultz said. “State and local requirements haven’t been lifted yet.” The big indoor shop has “had the typical people that think that they don’t have to wear a masks, but they do.” As flexible as somethings may be now, Superior is still asking customers to mask up.

Have questions if you need to wear a mask to one of your favorite local shops? You can give them a call and ask how they are implementing the state mandate or take one with you and be prepared. You can always choose to continue wearing it after all, it’s your call within local and state rules, of course.

Record reporter Laura Diaz covers social justice and societal issues. She can be reached at ldiaz@recordnet.com or on Twitter @laurasdiaz_. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: State and local rules go before CDC guidelines, here's what local businesses have to say

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