Salem Pushes Strict Testing Mandate For Unvaccinated Employees

SALEM, MA —Salem intends to introduce some of the strictest coronavirus-related mitigation measures in the state over the next two weeks — including an indoor mask mandate for all businesses and a strong push for twice-weekly testing for all public and private unvaccinated employees.

The vaccine guideline would require all city or school employees who remain unvaccinated to undergo twice-weekly testing. The city said in a statement it will also encourage all private businesses — especially those whose employees interact with the public — to institute similar requirements for either a coronavirus vaccination or a twice-weekly virus test.

"The science is clear that masks help reduce transmission and vaccines help reduce the severity of illness," Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said in a statement. "Together, they are a powerful barrier to the spread of COVID-19, including the delta variant."

The measures — which the city is calling the "Keep Salem Safe, Open, and Strong campaign" —are set to go into effect on Aug. 23 and are likely to last through the Halloween season.

The Board of Health will determine the effective date and tentative end date at its meeting Tuesday night.

The mask mandate is for all public buildings and businesses that serve the public, including bars and restaurants when people are not eating or drinking, and is in response to an increase in cases related to the delta variant.

The city said it will provide masks for businesses that need them and will assist in setting up mobile vaccine units for employees.

"With the latest uptick in positive COVID cases associated with the delta variant, it is critical that Salem remains vigilant in the public health success we have achieved during this pandemic," said Dr. Jeremy Schiller, chair of the Salem Board of Health. "Please take the precautions that we know work. Get vaccinated. Wear a mask in public indoor spaces."

Officials said there are no plans at this time to reinstitute capacity restrictions, early closing times or deploy any marketing to deter visitation during the Halloween season — as was the case last year during the "Stay Away" campaign to reduce crowds during traditionally the busiest tourist season of the year.

"The primary focus of the city’s efforts over the next three months is on resuming high levels of mask usage and expanding vaccination uptake as extensively as possible, especially among front-line workers," the city said in a statement.

The city will also ask the state to resume targeted wastewater surveillance in high-risk parts of Salem, resume daily coronavirus case tracking and will ask the state to extend the city's free "Stop the Spread" testing sites through the end of the year.

City boards and commissions are also encouraged to meet remain remotely "until further notice" and will be prohibited from meeting in person "until late November at the earliest."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)