HomeMy Public PortalAboutFace Covering indoors 8-18-21TOWN OF
WATERTOWN
BOARD OF HEALTH
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
www.watertown-ma.gov
John Straus MD
Barbara Beck PhD
Richard Arnold FNP BC
Board Of Health Order on Wearing Face Coverings Indoors effective
August 25, 2021
Whereas cases of COVID-19 in vaccinated and unvaccinated residents due to the highly contagious Delta variant have
been increasing in Watertown since July 2021. On July 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control issued an advisory for
vaccinated persons in areas of substantial and high transmission to wear a mask while indoors. Further Middlesex
County has been deemed an area of High transmission
A mask mandate is an immediate intervention to prevent the spread of disease within spaces open to the public.
Therefore, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 111 sections 31, and 122, the Watertown Board of Health adopts a public
health mandate effective August 25, 2021, requiring face coverings for all persons at all times when inside public
spaces or private spaces open to the public.
This mandate applies to individuals aged 5 years and over except where an individual is unable to wear a face
covering due to a medical condition or disability. If a customer refuses to wear a mask or cloth face covering for non-
medical reasons, a business may decline entry to the individual
• Food service establishment customers may only remove face coverings when seated.
• Performance venue customers may only remove face coverings in the actual act of eating and drinking.
• Indoor performers are required to wear face coverings, except where they are able to maintain a minimum of 25
feet of distance from members of the audience. Indoor bar and dance venue customers may only remove face
coverings when seated at tables or seated at a bar. Patrons standing or ordering at the bar must be masked.
Guests must be masked on indoor dance floors.
• 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.
• Members, visitors, and employees in private membership clubs are required to wear face coverings while
indoors.
• Face Coverings are required in Houses of Worship.
• Fitness Centers/Health Clubs workers, customers, and visitors are required to wear face coverings during fitness
activity, including strenuous activity.
• 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, 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, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other
settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.
• All businesses open to the public must post signage (i.e. entry ways, points of service, etc.) advising customers
that facemask must be maintained inside the establishment. Establishment staff must supervise and enforce this
requirement.
This order shall be in place from 12:01 Am on August 25, 2021 and shall remain in place and effective until
such time as the risk classification is modified by the CDC and the order is modified or rescinded based upon
further CDC guidance by the Watertown Board of Health.