City of Brockton Mask Advisory Notice
CITY OF BROCKTON
Office of the Mayor and the Board of Health
Emergency Order – Mask Advisory
Recommending the Use of Masks and Other Protective Measures
December 1 7, 2021
Pursuant to the declaration of a Modified Public Health Emergency issued May 28, 2021 by Governor Baker, and the declaration of a State of Emergency by the City of Brockton on March 16, 2020, and in accordance with the statutory authority granted to the Brockton Board of Health under the Massachusetts General Laws, including but not limited to M.G.L.ch. 111, the Brockton Board of Health hereby enacts the following:
WHEREAS, the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal respiratory disease, which is prevalent throughout the world, including the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
WHEREAS, despite a significant reduction in deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in Massachusetts and a high proportion of vaccinated residents in the Commonwealth relative to other states, COVID-19 cases are on an upward trajectory in Brockton and neighboring communities; and
WHEREAS, the rise of new infections in Brockton and the state corresponds with the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant; and the existence of potential new variants, such as Omicron, is of concern; and
WHEREAS, on July 27, 2021, the CDC recommended that everyone in areas of HIGH
(greater than 100 cases per 100,000 residents) or SUBSTANTIAL (50-100 cases per 100,00 residents) COVID-19 transmission wear face coverings when in indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status, and currently, Plymouth County is experiencing HIGH community transmission with 424 cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days; and
WHEREAS, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health metrics indicate an increase in COVID-19 cases for the City of Brockton over the previous week of 418 cases per 100,00 residents with 556 Active cases; and
WHEREAS, that fully vaccinated individuals who become infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus to others, masks are now one of the most effective available tools to mitigate the spread of the virus.
THEREFORE, the following public health advisory shall be in effect for the city of Brockton as follows:
1. It is strongly recommended that all persons over the age of 2 years wear a mask or face covering, such as fabric or surgical mask, covering the nose and mouth, while indoors in any public space, including but not limited to retail establishments, restaurants, bars, performance venues, social clubs, houses of worship, personal care and fitness establishments, event spaces, and municipal buildings.
2. It is strongly recommended that customers in indoor restaurants, bars and dance venues only remove face coverings when they are actively eating or drinking. Patrons ordering at a bar or standing at a bar while not actively eating or drinking are urged to wear masks. Guests are also urged to wear a mask when on an indoor dance floor.
3. This Order shall not apply when alone in a workplace or alone in a room with a closed door.
4. This Order shall not apply to outdoor dining, outdoor events, or otherwise to any outdoors activity.
5. This Order shall not apply to informal gatherings at private residences in which no compensation for use of the property is paid to the owner.
6. This Order shall not apply to performers, while performing, provided that they are at least six feet away from any customers.
7. This Order shall not apply to persons for whom a mask or face covering creates a health risk or is not safe, or to children under two years of age.
All reasonable efforts will be made to secure voluntary compliance with this Order, including the distribution of masks and/or personal advisory by city officials.
This Emergency Order shall be effective at 9:00 AM this 20th day of December, 2021.
ROBERT F. SULLIVAN Mayor
City of Brockton