Plymouth Issues Indoor Mask Mandate Starting December 30
PLYMOUTH, MA — All indoor public spaces in Plymouth will require a facial covering starting Thursday, December 30 at 12:01 a.m.
The Plymouth Board of Health issued an emergency order on Dec. 23, with the indoor mask mandate going into play on Dec. 30, after the holiday weekend, but just before the new year.
The board says this emergency order is in play because there has been an increase in infections from the COVID-19 Delta variant and the rapidly spreading Omicron variant.
Effective at 12:01 a.m. on December 30, 2021 face masks covering both the mouth and nose are required for all individuals aged two years and above in all indoor public spaces, houses of worship, or private spaces open to the public except where an individual is unable to wear a face-covering due to a medical condition or disability.
Restaurant customers may only remove face coverings when seated.
Indoor performance venue customers may only remove face coverings in the actual act of eating and drinking if permitted in the venue.
The masking requirement shall not apply to performers, while performing, provided that they are at least 6 feet away from any customers and other performers.
Members, visitors, and employees in private membership clubs are required to wear face coverings while indoors.
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.
Fitness Center/Health Club 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, barbershops, 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, where 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, and buses), in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.
All entry doors of businesses open to the public must post notice advising customers that face masks must be worn inside the establishment.
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.
The Acting Town Manager working with Town staff will develop criteria for consideration for specific businesses which will be submitted to the Board of Health for review and approval.
This mandate will be in effect until February 28, 2022.
This article originally appeared on the Plymouth Patch
