Even though Marin County’s public indoor mask mandate ended on Monday, many businesses are not quite ready to allow mask-free customers to come inside.
Marin County on Friday reached the three criteria needed for eight Bay Area counties and the City of Berkeley to no longer require masks in most public indoor spaces. Although the county lifted the requirement on Monday at noon, a surprising number of business owners said they will still require customers to be masked up, at least for now.
Mohammad Faroky manages the Strawberry Chevron in Mill Valley, one of the busiest gas stations in Marin County. He said a lot of his patrons aren’t county residents.
"In Marin, a lot of people come for their job from all over, because when we ask our customers, 'Where you live?' (They'll answer) Vallejo, Sacramento and Oakland. They come from all over," Faroky told KCBS Radio.
"We need to wear a mask because it’s good for our health."
Peter Van Kamerick is the owner of ArchRival Sports, which sells athletic shoes and clothing at its Mill Valley and Corte Madera locations. He’s still requiring masks, unless someone insists otherwise.
"We are just going to keep the mask going for a little while just to protect everybody and let everybody slide into this gradually," Van Kamerick said.
At Green Jeans Garden Supply in Mill Valley, Kevin Sadlier said he will remain cautious and encourages everyone to remain six feet apart.
"Most of our business is conducted outside," Sadlier said. "So, we've been pretty relaxed about masks. If people ask if a mask is required, I generally will say, "If you're vaccinated, no."
Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis told KCBS Radio his department has created that businesses can post informing customers they must continue to wear a mask. Those signs can be downloaded here.