Braintree Mayor Charles C. Kokoros Issues Emergency Order Requiring Face Coverings

BRAINTREE — Mayor Charles C. Kokoros and Health Director Marybeth McGrath have issued an Emergency Order regarding face coverings in the Town of Braintree in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Order requires face coverings to be worn by members of the general public entering any essential business as defined by Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Executive Orders, which include but are not limited to food establishments, coffee shops, grocery stores and pharmacies. Employees of all essential businesses must also wear a face covering during business hours.

Additionally, the Order requires face coverings to be worn by members of the general public who are entering or exiting any residential or commercial building complex of more than one unit.

The Order will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. today.

The face coverings are recommended to be a fabric mask, scarf or bandana, and should not be an N-95 mask as those are needed by our medical professionals and first responders.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cloth face coverings should:

• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Be secured with ties and/or ear loops
• Include multiple layers of fabric
• Allow for breathing without restriction
• Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change in shape

Additional guidance regarding wearing and making a cloth face covering can be found on the CDC website.

Residents are also reminded that they should only be leaving home to purchase essentials or to get to essential jobs. Additionally, residents should continue to practice aggressive social distancing and appropriate personal hygiene to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“This decision was made with our community’s health and best interests as the top priority,” Mayor Kokoros said. “Though wearing a face covering in public is an important public health measure, this Emergency Order is also being implemented to reinforce to residents the importance of staying home.”

See the full Emergency Order for the Town of Braintree here.

For more information on COVID-19, visit the Town of Braintree’s website at braintreema.gov, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) website by clicking here or the CDC website by clicking here.

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