When dealing with outdoor electrical installations, everything is quite a bit different than inside the home. The plugs and switches must have weatherproof covers installed. Most of the time they are not very nice to look at, but actually do perform a function. They keep the elements out of the high voltage area and protect the user. The cover in the photo is for 2 switches. There are many options for what can be installed. Keep in mind, if a GFCI outlet is installed, most must have an In-Use Bubble Cover that protrudes out from the wall 4 inches. The switch cover in the photo is not and In-Use Cover and is a surface mount type, and does not really get in the way.
