USE OF MASKS AND OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES WHILE WORKING OR FREQUENTING ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts issued a Declaration of a State of Emergency to Respond to COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Baker issued COVID-19 Order no. 13 entitled “Order Assuring Continued Operation of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces and Prohibiting Gatherings of More than 10 People”, which, among other things, restricted public gatherings to 10 people or less, closed businesses providing non-essential services, identified certain essential services and assured the continued operations of essential services in the Commonwealth subject to certain conditions;
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020, the Ipswich Town Manager, determined that COVID-19 poses an imminent danger to public health and safety to the residents of Ipswich and as such declared a State of Emergency in the Town of Ipswich;
WHEREAS, COVID-19 is easily transmitted, especially in group settings, and the spread of the virus must be slowed to protect the ability of our healthcare providers to handle the surge of new patients and safeguard public health and safety;
NOW, THEREFORE, according to the General Bylaws of the Town of Ipswich, and in accordance with Chapter 111 of the Massachusetts General Bylaws, and all other necessary and appropriate powers and authorities, the Ipswich Town Manager and the Ipswich Public Health Director in consultation with the Ipswich Board of Health, hereby issue the following Temporary Emergency Order regarding the use of face masks and the operations of essential services in Ipswich:
- All members of the public entering any essential business as defined by Governor Baker’s Covid-19 Executive Orders, including but not limited to grocery stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores and the like must wear a cloth face covering, such as a fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over his or her nose and mouth. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be left for medical professionals and first responders. See the following links for information on cloth face coverings:
How to make a mask: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting- sick/cloth-face-cover.html
How to wear/washcloth face coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
- All members of the public entering a food establishment for the purpose of picking up food shall wear a face covering over their nose and mouth.
- All employees of all essential businesses shall wear a face covering, provided by their employer, over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public and within six feet of a co-worker. Employers and employees must use previously prescribed protocols, and guidelines for personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer is to be provided by the employer for staff use.
This emergency order shall be effective beginning April 30, 2020, AT 12:00 PM and remain in effect until notice is given, pursuant to the Town Manager’s and Public Health Directors’ judgment that the Public Health Emergency no longer exists. To the extent necessary, this Order shall be enforced by the Public Health officials and Ipswich Police Officers.
Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is punishable by a fine of up to three hundred dollars, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, Section 21D.
For the Town of Ipswich
Anthony Marino
Ipswich Town Manager
For the Board of Health
Colleen E. Fermon, R.S., C.H.O.,
Director of Public Health