Face Covering FAQs

Updated on July 29, 2021

Face Coverings FAQs

Where are face coverings recommended? 

The U.S. CDC recommends wearing face coverings in indoor public settings in areas where there is substantial transmission of COVID-19. To see which counties in Maine face coverings are recommended, consult this map from U.S. CDC.

The U.S. CDC also specifically recommends that people wear masks in health care settings and in congregate living settings like jails and shelters.

Where are face coverings specifically required?

The U.S. CDC requires that people wear masks in all forms of public transportation, such as planes, buses, and trains.

I am not fully vaccinated. Do I need to wear a mask?

U.S. CDC guidance recommends that people age 5 and older wear masks while at indoor public settings until they are fully vaccinated. Vaccination remains the most effective way of protecting yourself and your family against the virus. Find a vaccine location here.

I am fully vaccinated. Do I need to wear a mask?

Maine is following U.S. CDC guidance for people who are fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated should wear a mask in counties of "high" or "substantial" community transmission, as identified on this map from U.S. CDC. 

Can businesses or organizations require face coverings?

Yes. Businesses and other organizations may adopt policies for their employees or clients that require wearing a mask, require vaccination, or require proof of vaccination in order to avoid wearing a mask.

What is considered fully vaccinated? 

You are considered fully vaccinated after at least 14 days following the completion of your COVID-19 vaccination series. For individuals who receive the two-shot Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, this starts after the second dose. For individuals receiving the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine, this starts after the single dose.

How does wearing a face covering prevent the spread of COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an airborne virus that most commonly spreads between people who are in close contact with one another. It spreads through respiratory droplets or small particles, such as those in aerosols, produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes. Because it helps contain respiratory droplets, wearing a face covering has been proven to be one of the most significant, effective, and easiest ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.