NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A day after New Haven County was declared a 'high risk' area for COVID-19 transmission, New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker announced the city will return to a mask mandate.
It follows Gov. Ned Lamont issuing an executive order Thursday which allowed municipalities to implement indoor mask mandates in their town, regardless of vaccination status.
Lamont said the order is at the request of municipal leaders who want to return to universal mask requirements similar to the onset of the pandemic last year.
The requirement will be in place effective Monday, August 9 at 12:01 a.m.
"I've been quite clear that we're going to use every tool we can to keep residents safe," said Elicker at a press conference Friday morning. "Yesterday the governor gave us that authority, were looking at the governor's order – I think it's pretty safe to say that later today we'll be implementing a mask mandate across the city."
According to Elicker's office, all establishments including bars, restaurants, theaters, and office buildings will uphold the mandate regardless of people’s vaccination status.
“Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself from becoming very ill," Elicker added. "If you haven’t been vaccinated, you should do so as soon as possible.”
The city's Health Director Maritza Bond said the state’s positivity rate has increased nearly five (5) fold in the past three weeks.
“Nearly 2/3 of eligible residents in New Haven are now vaccinated, but vaccination still lags among younger residents and we still have thousands of residents who fall below the 12-year-old eligibility threshold," Bond said.
New Haven is the first Connecticut county to reach a 'high risk' level. All others are currently in the 'substantial risk' category.
"High transmission means that the virus is more available in our community. There are more people carrying it," said Barbara Naclerio, with the East Shore District Health Department.
The CDC classifies substantial transmission as 50 to 99.99 total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past seven days. Moderate transmission is anywhere from 10 to 49.99 cases per 100,000 persons.
The CDC recommends people in these areas wear masks inside regardless of vaccination status. Connecticut officials strongly recommend residents follow the CDC guidelines.
The governor's office added that the Department of Public Health and Department of Education is "in the process" of reviewing and if necessary, updating, the statewide policies about wearing masks in school.
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