Five Bay Area counties will begin enforcing face coverings in essential businesses and on public transit Wednesday to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

In the following counties, you could be hit with a citation and/or a fine if you’re not following the order asking people to cover their noses and mouths with cloth.

• Alameda
• Contra Costa
• Marin
• San Francisco
• San Mateo

Sonoma began enforcing its order last Friday. The cities of Berkeley and Fremont issued their own mandates.

Santa Clara County is “strongly urging all individuals” to wear face coverings when out of their homes to perform essential activities, but has yet to issue an official requirement that’s enforceable by law. In a statement, the county noted “enforcement resources across the county are limited” and the public has generally followed past guidance without enforcement.

The orders in all jurisdictions are generally the same, requiring people to wear coverings in public places, especially indoor spaces, where they’re unable to physically distance.

The reason for the new rules is that research shows a cloth covering the nose and mouth can help prevent the spread of respiratory droplets that are the main way the coronavirus is transmitted between people.

In all jurisdictions, the coverings can be manufactured or handmade or simply any type of cloth fabric or soft material such as a bandana, scarf or neck gaiter. Medical masks aren’t necessary and should be prioritized for health care workers.

Here’s a quick overview of the orders in each jurisdiction.

Alameda: The county is requiring members of the public and workers to wear face coverings while inside of or waiting in line to enter essential businesses, when seeking health care, and when waiting for or riding on public transportation. Read the full order.

Berkeley: Anyone out in public visiting essential businesses, seeking health care or using public transportation is required to use a face covering. Workers at essential businesses are also required to cover their face.  Read the full order.

Contra Costa: Anyone working at or visiting an essential business, such as a grocery store or gas station, is required to wear face coverings. The order does not require children 12 and younger to wear masks.  Read the full order.

Fremont: The East Bay city of Fremont is requiring workers and customers at essential businesses to wear face coverings amid the COVID-19 emergency. An employee can deny service to an individual who is not wearing a face covering. Read the full order.

Marin: Residents are being asked to wear a face covering when they are interacting with others who are not members of their household in public and private spaces. Children aged 12 years old or younger are not required to wear a face covering. Read the full order.

San Francisco: Residents and workers in SF will be required to wear face coverings at essential businesses, in public facilities and on transit. Read the full order.

San Mateo: The order mandates members of the public and workers at essential businesses to wear face coverings outside the home for certain activities and in places of business. The order took effect Friday night but will not be enforced until 8 a.m. on April 22. Read the full order.

Sonoma: All people must wear facial coverings before they enter any indoor facility besides their residence, any enclosed open space, or while outdoors when the person is unable to maintain a six-foot distance from another person at all times. Children over the age of 2 are being asked to wear face coverings. The requirement went into effect Friday. Read the full order.

Cumulative cases in the greater Bay Area (due to limited testing these numbers reflect only a small portion of likely cases):

ALAMEDA COUNTY: 1,239 confirmed cases, 43 deaths

For more information on Alameda County cases, visit the public health department website.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY: 749 confirmed cases, 22 deaths

For more information on Contra Costa County cases, visit the public health department website.

LAKE COUNTY: 6 confirmed cases

For information on Lake County and coronavirus, visit the public health department website.

MARIN COUNTY: 200 confirmed cases, 10 deaths

Fore more information on Marin County cases, visit the public health department website.

MONTEREY COUNTY: 148 confirmed cases, 4 deaths

For more information on Monterey County cases, visit the public health department website.

NAPA COUNTY: 54 cases, 2 deaths

For more information on Napa County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN BENITO COUNTY: 45 confirmed cases, 2 deaths

For more information on San Benito County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY: 1,231 confirmed cases, 20 deaths

For more information on San Francisco County cases, visit the public health department website.

SAN MATEO COUNTY: 935 confirmed cases, 28 deaths

For more information on San Mateo County cases, visit the public health department website.

SANTA CLARA COUNTY: 1,946 confirmed cases, 88 deaths

Fore more information on Santa Clara County cases, visit the public health department website.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY: 108 confirmed cases, 2 deaths

For more information on Santa Cruz County cases, visit the public health department website. 

SOLANO COUNTY: 181 confirmed cases, 3 deaths

For more information on Solano County cases, visit the public health department website.

SONOMA COUNTY: 182 confirmed cases, 2 deaths

For more information on Sonoma County cases, visit the public health department website.