Masks Strongly Encouraged —​ But Not Required — ​In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — Face masks are strongly encouraged in Fairfield — but not required — as the delta variant of the coronavirus spreads across Connecticut.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick confirmed in a statement Thursday that while she encouraged residents to wear masks indoors amid increased virus transmission, she would not be mandating masks in town.

“Since Fairfield's positivity rate is low and our vaccination rate is high and continues to grow, I will not be instituting a mask mandate at this time,” she said. “I will continue to monitor the situation with our health director and emergency management director.”

Kupchick’s statement comes after several Connecticut cities, including Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Hartford and New Haven, announced masks would be required at all indoor establishments, regardless of vaccination status. State policy dictates unvaccinated people must wear masks indoors, but Gov. Ned Lamont last week said he would leave it up to municipal authorities to decide if masks should be required for everyone.

“Businesses have the option to require masks be worn by everyone in their establishments,” Kupchick noted.

As of Thursday, there was a total of 5,448 recorded coronavirus cases in Fairfield, an increase of 178 cases compared to a month prior, according to state data. Between June 11 and July 12, the town’s case total went up by only 19. Coronavirus transmission is classified as substantial in Fairfield County, and, with a two-week rate of 10.4 cases per 100,000 residents, Fairfield falls under the orange coronavirus alert level.

Connecticut is nearing the mid-point of the current wave of the virus, Kupchick said, citing public health experts and noting that the most serious coronavirus cases are typically seen in those who are unvaccinated.

“Vaccination is the most important defense against severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19,” she said. “The CT Department of Public Health strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals get vaccinated as soon as possible to help stop the ongoing spread of the delta variant.”

As of last week, 68.32 percent of Fairfield residents were vaccinated, according to Kupchick, who said she had already noticed an increase in mask use throughout the community.

Kupchick urged residents to get a coronavirus test if they had even mild symptoms, and to text their zip code to GETVAX to find a nearby vaccination site.

A Griffin Health mobile vaccination van is set to come Tuesday to Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, 1045 Old Academy Road in Fairfield, to administer Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for children ages 12 and older. Identification and insurance are not required.

Residents who test positive for the coronavirus or have come in contact with someone who has tested positive are asked to contact the town health department at 203-256-3020 or visit fairfieldct.org/covid19.