The Town of Braintree has implemented an emergency order regarding face covering requirements that shall be effective at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.
WHEREAS, on January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on March 10, 2020, Governor Baker declared a State of Emergency in response to COVID-19 and determined that immediate public action is required to prevent, minimize or mitigate damage to the public health, safety and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth and/or property that may otherwise result from this public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, President Trump declared a national emergency in response to the situation caused by COVID-19 and directed the agencies of the national government to take appropriate actions; and
WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, Mayor Kokoros declared a Local State of Emergency in response to COVID-19 and determined that immediate public action is required to prevent, minimize or mitigate damage to the public health, safety and general welfare of the people of the Town of Braintree and/or property that may otherwise result from this public health emergency; and
WHEREAS, the spread of COVID-19 and the effects of its extreme risk of person to person transmission considerably affect the life and health of our people and is a crisis that impacts the health, security and safety of the public; and
WHEREAS, additional steps to prepare for, respond to and mitigate the spread of the virus to protect the health and welfare of our community is essential; and
NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to the declaration of a public health emergency on March 17, 2020 and the authority provided under 310 CMR 11.05, 105 CMR 300.200 and all other authorizing statutes and regulations, acting by and through the Board of Health as agent authorized under Chapter 111, Section 30 of the General Laws of the Commonwealth, I, the Health Director for the Town of Braintree and Mayor Charles C. Kokoros hereby order the following:
Members of the general public entering any essential business as defined by Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Executive Orders, including but not limited to food establishments/restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores, and the like, shall wear a face covering, such as a mask, fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over their nose and mouth. The face coverings recommended are cloth, not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be left for medical professionals and first responders.
Please refer to the CDC link for information on making a cloth face covering at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.
Employees of all essential businesses shall wear a face covering over their nose and mouth during business hours. Employers and employees must continue use of previously prescribed protocols and guidelines for personal protective equipment (i.e. gloves) in addition to the face covering.
Members of the general public entering or exiting 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 these spaces in accordance with CDC guidelines.
Please refer to the CDC link for information on social distancing at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html.
- The primary objective of this order is to reinforce the importance of residents staying at home and covering their faces should they need to go outside. Residents are reminded that they should only be leaving their home to purchase essentials or to go to their essential jobs
This order shall become effective at 11:59 pm on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.