HOLLISTON - At an April 28 meeting of the Board of Health, the board voted to require anyone in Holliston who needs to be outside of their home to wear a face covering. Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Michael Cassidy, who is coordinating the town's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, requested the board order face coverings be worn to prevent the spread of infection. After discussion of the request and reviewing similar orders by other communities, the board voted:
• All members of the public aged 5 years of age and older entering an 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 face covering, such as fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over his or her nose and mouth. All members of the public aged 5 years of age and older entering a restaurant for the purpose of picking up food for take-out must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth.
• All grocery stores, retail stores and food service establishment staff must wear a face covering. Gloves must be readily available and used as necessary to avoid touching "ready to eat foods." Glove use is not a substitution for frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitizer. All other employees of all essential businesses shall wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public and within six feet of a co-worker.
• Any resident or member of the general public aged 5 years of age and older entering or exiling a residential or commercial building complex of greater than one (1) unit must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth while in common areas and communal spaces and must exercise social distancing in those spaces in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.
• Face coverings must be worn in or at all public spaces such as parks, sidewalks, streets, paths, squares, or outdoor commercial areas such as parking lots and outdoor premises of retail locations. Joggers and cyclists must adhere to the order along with pedestrians.
All open businesses must also display signs reminding anyone entering that they need to be wearing a race covering. While face coverings can help control the spread of COVID-19, Cassidy reminds the public that it Is an extra protection to supplement physical distancing to help reduce transmission of tho virus. Use of facial coverings do not make it safe for people to start congregating; the Governor's closure of non-essential businesses and stay at home advisory has been extended to May 18.
During the meeting or the board, Cassidy emphasized that per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) face covering guidelines, face coverings should not be placed on young children under 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, or Is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
The emergency order shall be effective beginning Wednesday, April 29, 2020 and remain in effect until notice is given, pursuant to the Board of Health's judgment that the public health emergency no longer exists. To the extent necessary, Board of Health officials shall enforce this order.
The Health Department will update and share new information with the community, as necessary, regarding the coronavirus situation. For up to date information, residents are encouraged to check the town website (www.townofholliston.us), the state website (www.mass.gov/covid19) or the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/covid19).
BOARD of HEALTH
Town Hall
703 Washington Street.
Holliston, MA 01746-2168
508-429-0606
Fax: 508-429-0639
www.Townofholliston.us