Needham BOH To Discuss Emergency Face Mask Proposal

NEEDHAM, MA — The Needham Board Of Health will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss and vote on an emergency face covering order. The order would require face coverings in a variety of places. The goal of the order is to limit the spread of the new coronavirus epidemic.

Under the order, face coverings would be required in businesses, work sites, and government buildings as well as in commercial and residential building complexes. The requirement would apply to employees as well as to customers, visitors, and the general public.

The meeting will take place on Zoom at 3 p.m. with the meeting ID: 937-9594-1621.

There will be a limited period available for public comment on this Emergency Order/Regulation before the Board of Health meeting. Comments will be accepted until noon on Tuesday. Comments may be submitted in writing via electronic or postal mail. Please send comments to healthdepartment@needhamma.gov or to Public Health Division.

The order stresses that the face coverings are not meant to replace social distancing measures but used in conjunction with those measures. The order also points out that residents should not take it upon themselves to enforce the use of face coverings."Residents are urged to focus solely on their personal compliance with this order," the order reads.

The order would also prohibit the use of ice cream trucks.

If passed, the order will go into effect on Wednesday. Read the full order on Needham's website.