Westport bringing back indoor mask mandate, will other communities follow?

Due to the “very substantial increase” in Westport of infections from the COVID-19 Delta variant and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, the Westport Board of Health has issued an order for masks to be worn in all indoor public settings.

Effective at 12:01 a.m. January 14, 2022, face masks covering both the mouth and nose are required for all individuals aged two years and above in all indoor public spaces, houses of worship, or private spaces open to the public except where an individual is unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability.

The order is as follows:

-Food service establishment customers may only remove face coverings when seated.

-Indoor performance venue customers may only remove face coverings in the actual act of eating and drinking, if permitted in the venue.

-The mask requirement shall not apply to performers, while performing, provided that they are at least 6 feet away from any customers and other performers.

-Members, visitors and employees in private membership clubs are required to wear face coverings while indoors. 6. Lodging guests and workers are required to wear face coverings when inside hallways and common areas.

-Residents, visitors and employees in multi-unit homes and apartments are required to wear face coverings when inside common hallways and spaces.

-At Personal Services establishments, including, but not limited to, barber shops, hair and nail salons, all customers and workers are required to wear face coverings, except for skin or beard care that occurs on the face, where the customer may temporarily remove the face covering but must immediately put the face covering back on for the remainder of the visit.

-Masks remain mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, and buses), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.

-All entry doors of businesses open to the public must post notice advising customers that face
masks must be worn inside the establishment.

This mandate will be in effect until March 7, 2022, unless rescinded at an earlier date or extended by vote of the Board of Health at a public meeting.

Until rescinded, the BOH will discuss the status of this order based on COVID-19 cases and infection trends within Westport, Bristol County, and the state of Massachusetts at each BOH meeting.

With cases continuing to increase, will other communities follow?