TOWN OF BRATTLEBORO Town Manager’s Office 230 Main Street Brattleboro, VT 05301 (802) 251-8151 FAX (802) 257-2322
PRESS RELEASE
TO: Local Media Date: May 27, 2020
From: Town Manager’s Office
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For Immediate Release:
At its meeting last night, the Brattleboro Selectboard reaffirmed and slightly modified its Emergency Order requiring that face coverings be worn by all employees, customers, and visitors in any store, office, or other indoor setting where business is conducted.
The modification clarified that children under 5 “are not required” to wear face coverings. The original order stated that masks “should not be placed on” children under 5. The remainder of the order is unchanged and it continues to apply equally to businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental facilities anywhere in Brattleboro.
The Selectboard made this decision after lengthy discussions on May 19 and May 26 that included substantial public input on the GoToMeeting platform where Selectboard meetings are currently being held without any specific physical location due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Here is the full text of the resolution that the Selectboard adopted to issue this modified order:
Be it resolved by the Selectboard of the Town of Brattleboro, Vermont, as follows:
AMENDED
COVID-19 EMERGENCY ORDER
WEARING FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED
WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and to help prevent people who may unknowingly have the virus from transmitting it to others; and
WHEREAS, the Vermont Department of Health “recommends that all Vermonters wear cloth face coverings when outside of the home to help slow the spread of COVID-19;” and
WHEREAS, Governor Phil Scott and the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development have issued the following instructions in conjunction with the Governor’s executive orders regarding COVID-19:
“Employees must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others. In the case of retail cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” is acceptable in lieu of a mask. Businesses and non-profit and government entities may require customers or clients to wear masks” while on their premises
and
“The legislative body of each municipality may enact more strict local requirements regarding mask use than those set forth herein;” and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 remains a health hazard to residents of Brattleboro and a significant threat to vulnerable populations; and
WHEREAS, wearing a face covering is an important act we can do in an effort to protect others from an infection that we may not even know we have.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Selectboard hereby issues the following COVID-19 Emergency Order:
WEARING FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED
Requirement to Wear Face Covering.
Starting May 20, 2020, all establishments located in the Town of Brattleboro that invite the public into their premises for the purpose of receiving services, purchasing products, or otherwise transacting business, shall require both staff and customers (or visitors) to wear cloth face coverings or face shields over their nose and mouth while inside the establishment.
Exceptions.
Cloth face coverings should not be placed are not required on young children under age 5; and should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing; or anyone who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
Posting of Requirement.
Each establishment is individually responsible to post signage at the entrance and at other appropriate locations stating that customers (or visitors) are required to wear face coverings by order of the Brattleboro Selectboard.
Effective Period.
This Order shall remain in effect until the Brattleboro Selectboard amends, rescinds, or suspends this Order or until the Governor declares an end to the COVID-19 State of Emergency in Vermont, whichever occurs first.
Adopted by the Brattleboro Selectboard at its meeting on May 19, 2020.
Amended by the Brattleboro Selectboard at its meeting on May 26, 2020.
