Notice is hereby given that the Board of Health held a meeting on August 10, 2021, to review the current COVID-19 case load and testing positivity rates in Essex County and, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 111 sections 31 and 104, voted to adopt the Emergency Regulation set forth below.
Pursuant to 310 CMR 11.05, 105 CMR 300.200 and all other authorizing statures and regulations, acting by and though its agent authorized under MGL c. 111 §31, the Board of Health of the City of Salem, Massachusetts, hereby Orders:
Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, August 23, 2021, face coverings are required for all individuals aged two years and above in all indoor public spaces, or private spaces open to the public, except where an individual is unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability, and subject to the following:
• Food service establishment customers may only remove face coverings when seated.
• Indoor performance venue customers may only remove face coverings in the actual act of eating and drinking.
• Indoor bar and dance venue customers may only remove face coverings when seated at tables or seated at a bar. Patrons standing or ordering at the bar must be masked.
• Guests must be masked on indoor dance floors.
• Lodging guests and workers are required to wear face coverings when inside hallways and common areas.
• Houses of worship are included in this Order.
• Fitness Centers/Health Clubs workers, customers, and visitors are required to wear face coverings during fitness activity, including strenuous activity.
• At Personal Services establishments, including but not limited to barber shops, hair, and nail salons, all customers and workers are required to wear face coverings, except for skin or beard care that
occurs on the face, the customer may temporarily remove the face covering, but must immediately put the face covering back on for the remainder of the visit.
• Masks remain mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare
facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.
• All entry doors of businesses open to the public must be posted advising customers that face masks must be maintained inside the establishment.
This emergency order shall be effective beginning Monday, August 23, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. and shall remain in effect until November 13, 2021 unless notice is given by the Board of Health that this Order will be extended. To the extent necessary, this Order shall be enforced by Board of Health officials. Penalties will be issued in accordance with municipal fines as set forth in the City Ordinance of $50 for the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $300 for third and subsequent offenses.
Separately, the City of Salem requires masks be worn over the mouth and nose of all persons inside any City building or vehicle effective beginning Monday, August 23, 2021 at 12:01 a.m. through November 13, 2021 unless otherwise extended. Exceptions to this requirement include workers in private offices inside City buildings when alone and any person eating or drinking.
