Mask Mandate Reinstated In Norwalk

NORWALK, CT — Mayor Harry Rilling announced Thursday the city is re-issuing its mask mandate as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Norwalk.

According to a news release, the mandate will go into effect Thursday at 5 p.m. and requires all people, regardless of their vaccination status, to wear a face covering inside all public places and establishments in Norwalk.

This temporary order is being issued in response to the rapid rise of coronavirus cases in the community and the contagious nature of the Omicron variant. The mandate will be continually evaluated and reviewed in consultation with the Norwalk Health Department and will remain in effect until transmission rates decrease, city officials said.

“As the Omicron variant spreads rapidly in Connecticut and across the country, our case rates have increased five-fold in less than a month," Rilling said in a statement. "Statewide hospitalizations are also at levels we haven’t seen since the beginning of the year. With indoor gatherings planned and holiday travel occurring, it is critically important for people to wear a mask when in public. The health and safety of our residents is always my top priority. Thank you for your cooperation and help as we all must do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community."

Over the last month, Norwalk's average daily case rate per 100,000 population went from 8.2 per 100,000 to approximately 60 per 100,000 population, according to city officials. There have been more than 450 new cases in the last week.

In the latest report from the state Department of Public Health (DPH), more than 821 people are hospitalized, and 75 percent of patients hospitalized are not fully vaccinated. According to the state, those who are unvaccinated have a 5.5 times greater risk of getting COVID-19 and a 20 times greater risk of dying from the virus compared to those fully vaccinated, city officials said.

With the current level and continuing increase of COVID-19 cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DPH both recommend face masks be worn in indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status.

The growing presence of the Omicron variant in Connecticut and across the country emphasizes the need for everyone to continue to practice common sense prevention measures such as wearing face masks to protect themselves and others, city officials said.

"Wearing a mask in public and getting vaccinated or boosted are the most effective ways to protect yourself and your family," Norwalk Health Director Deanna D'Amore said in a news release, "and to slow the spread of the virus within our community."