Anyone not wearing a face cover or mask in public in West Hollywood will be subject to a $300 citation from sheriff’s deputies, the sheriff’s West Hollywood Station announced Wednesday evening.

The announcement comes as the coronavirus infection rate is increasing in California and after Gov. Gavin Newsom recently issued an order for everyone to wear a face cover or mask while in public, according to station Capt. Edward Ramirez.

Deputies have been educating people about the need for covers or masks since Newsom issued his order June 18, Ramirez said.

“Beginning this month, we will start issuing … citations for people who are not conforming to the order to wear a face cover/mask in public,” Ramirez said.

“Our last option was to conduct enforcement by issuing (citations), but the risk to community health is too great.”

The fine for a citation is $250 plus a fee of $50 for a total of $300 for the first offense, Ramirez said.

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