Exec Order Puts West Hartford Indoor Mask Requirement In Place

WEST HARTFORD, CT — The town of West Hartford is implementing a local universal indoor masking requirement, effective at noon Thursday.

The requirement is part of the broader effort to "combat the surge in cases caused by the Omicron variant," officials said.

The universal indoor masking requirement is being implemented through a local executive order, which was signed by the town manager earlier on Wednesday. The order only applies to indoor public places, which include "anywhere that persons from different households are in the same space. "

Residential dwellings are exempt.

"However residents are strongly advised that they should still mask-up anytime they are indoors with persons who are not part of their own household," officials said.

The order includes exceptions for persons unable to wear a mask for medical reasons – including children younger than 2 and persons who are eating or drinking.

Mayor Shari G. Cantor said a regional and statewide universal masking requirement makes sense.

"COVID-19 does not stop at municipal borders, and our hospitals and healthcare delivery systems are all regional assets that serve multiple communities," she said. "There should be one common statewide and regional standard."

Cantor said that West Hartford would continuously evaluate the necessity of the universal indoor masking requirement.

"We are already seeing a high level of voluntary masking in West Hartford, and I want to thank everyone who is doing their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19," Cantor said. "Our priority is to keep our community safe, while keeping schools, municipal facilities, and businesses open. We believe this step is necessary given the current trajectory of infection rates and the number of neighboring communities implementing similar requirements. This is a temporary measure, and we will constantly evaluate the need to continue the requirement."

Town Manager Matt Hart said the decision to require universal indoor masking was made in consultation with public health and safety officials.

"Our approach has been, and continues to be, education first, enforcement second. We are very appreciative of the high level of voluntary compliance we are already seeing," Hart said.