Change In Greenwich Mask Policy Begins Friday: Camillo

GREENWICH, CT — Effective Friday, Sept. 24, masks will not be mandated at businesses, offices and private venues around the Town of Greenwich. Instead, owners will have the authority to set their own mask requirements.

Masks will continue to be required when entering town facilities, including Town Hall. Camillo said earlier this week that he is seeking feedback from department heads first before easing restrictions there.

Camillo announced the change in policy during his weekly COVID-19 briefing on Wednesday, citing improving case and hospitalization rates, and high vaccination percentages.

In August, Camillo instituted the mask mandate at Town Hall, and later a universal indoor mask requirement across town due to the spread of the contagious delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.

He stressed at the time that the measures were temporary, and that the town would continue to monitor the situation in order to adjust on the fly.

"With the residents being careful and cautious by following the mask mandate during the past several weeks, even with large-scale public events, the numbers of those hospitalized, and the number of residents being infected by the COVID-19 virus and the delta variant, has flattened," Camillo said in a news release Thursday.

Camillo also said that the continuing increase in the number of residents who are vaccinated also factored into the decision to allow for optional mask requirements in businesses, offices and private clubs.

As of Sept. 22, 85.64 percent of eligible residents have initiated the vaccination process. Of the 52,482 residents eligible to receive a vaccine, 79.06 percent are fully vaccinated. Only one COVID-19 patient was being treated at Greenwich Hospital as of Wednesday afternoon.

"I want to thank all of our residents – and visitors to town – who were vigilant and abided by the mandate. It is a testament that our collaborative efforts helped to bring about a positive outcome during a pandemic. For those who remain concerned, I recommend that you carry a mask with you whenever you’re out in public," Camillo added in a news release.

Camillo is urging residents to get vaccinated if they haven't already.