SOUTHWICK- The Southwick Board of Health voted April 30 to mandate that all persons must wear masks when inside essential businesses effective May 2.
The unanimous vote would require that every person who enters an essential business such as a grocery store or restaurant must wear a facemask of some sort while on the premises. The mandate extends to all employees.
Gov. Charlie D. Baker announced Friday that a similar statewide mandate would go into effect May 6.
The Board of Health mandate allows for individuals to wear homemade cloth masks or face coverings rather than surgical or N-95 masks.
“With the amount of actual surgical masks and other things not available to people, opening up to cloth masks would be appropriate.” Said Health Director Tammy Spencer
The mandate does not require that one wear a mask at all times if they are out in public, but rather only in essential businesses where social distancing cannot be followed. The Board of Health still recommends that everyone wear a mask when outside in public, as there can be situations where social distancing may be inadvertently violated.
Should an employee of a store not have a mask for themselves, their employer would be required to provide a mask for them.
Public Health Nurse Kate Johnson said during Thursday’s remote meeting that if someone has a disposable mask such as an N-95, they should not reuse it. Cloth masks can be washed with soap and warm water between uses.
Select Board Chairman Russell Fox said during the meeting that he had spoken to Police Chief Kevin Bishop, who is on board with the mandate, even though Southwick’s COVID-19 cases remain relatively low compared to surrounding communities.
“Our counts are down, but it is not a bad idea to keep it up and have a mask on,” said Fox.
