Mask Mandate Lifted In Norwalk: Mayor

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling announced Thursday afternoon he has lifted the city's public indoor mask mandate, effective immediately.

In a news release, Rilling said the decision was made in close consultation with the Norwalk Health Department due to improved COVID-19 metrics and ongoing coronavirus vaccination efforts throughout the city.

While the mask mandate has been lifted, it has been replaced with a mask advisory for indoor public places in Norwalk, city officials said.

The indoor mask mandate was implemented in August for all residents, regardless of their vaccination status, to help curb a surge in cases of the virus due to the Delta Variant.

Rilling noted public health metrics have since improved and vaccination rates have increased since August. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 are also now eligible to be vaccinated.

"We are in a better place now compared to several months ago when the mask mandate was implemented," Rilling said in a statement. "Cases are down and vaccinations are up. I thank members of the public and businesses for helping to slow the spread of the virus by following common-sense public health measures. While masking is no longer mandatory, residents can wear a mask if they so choose. Likewise, businesses may implement their own policy on face coverings. While the mask mandate has been lifted, I strongly encourage residents to continue to take precautions and wear face coverings when in busy indoor settings."

An indoor mask mandate still remains in effect at all city properties, including City Hall, for visitors and staff, regardless of their vaccination status. The mayor's modified order also does not impact orders by Gov. Ned Lamont mandating masks to be worn in schools and childcare settings, on public transportation, in health care and congregate living settings, as well as in public places by anyone who is not fully vaccinated.

City officials noted Norwalk follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines regarding community transmission by county, which advises masks should be worn by all people when transmission is "substantial or greater." For the last eight consecutive reporting periods supporting a data trend, Fairfield County has been in moderate transmission, where the CDC advises only those who are unvaccinated wear masks indoors, officials said.

The test positivity rate in Norwalk also continues to decline, and the total number of statewide hospitalizations has remained relatively steady over the last several weeks, city officials said.

Currently, over 75 percent of all Norwalk residents have had at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and nearly 70 percent of residents of all ages are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, officials said.

"Masks have been shown to be effective at reducing the emission of virus droplets, as well as reducing the inhalation of those droplets," city officials said in a news release. "Although masks will no longer be required indoors, residents are advised to continue to take steps to keep themselves and the community healthy: social distance where possible, wash hands frequently, get vaccinated if eligible, and stay home and get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms."

Officials noted the citywide mask mandate may be reinstated if coronavirus cases and other important public health metrics rise again as Norwalk enters the winter months and holiday season.

Further information can be found on the city's website.