Falmouth Coronavirus: Masks Required At Essential Businesses

FALMOUTH, MA — The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to require people working or shopping at essential businesses to wear face masks. The decision was made Monday during a joint meeting between the selectmen and the Board of Health as a safety precaution amid the new coronavirus.

Selectmen Chair Megan Braga said the board received several emails from residents urging the town to require masks in public spaces.

One of the emails came from Davien Gould, of Lantern Lane. It read:

"In an ideal world, all of us would follow both the CDC and state health guidelines for wearing face masks for COVID-19," Unfortunately, though most are, there are still businesses and many people who have either not been listening to the warnings or information on the news or just not understanding that all mitigations which people have been following for the past six weeks are what has to happen to keep our community from becoming the latest hot spot.

Selectwoman Susan Moran acknowledged enforcement would be a challenge, but said the mandate when publicized should create more compliance. She also agreed with some concerns about the availability of masks, but said there are several nonprofit organizations making masks, and residents can also make their own face coverings.

The board also took further steps to lessen the new coronavirus' spread. One of those steps was canceling all previously approved town events through Aug. 31.