WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The Town of West Hartford will implement a local universal indoor mask mandate for public spaces, which will go into effect at noon on Thursday.
Mayor Shari G. Cantor said this will be a "temporary measure," and town officials will be evaluating the need to continue the mandate.
The current surge in COVID-19 cases is concerning to some who welcome the mandate as a form of trying to get things under control.
"As somebody who's high-risk herself I am pretty nervous about the COVID rates going back up and how high they're getting, it's quite nerve-wracking but I do support the mask mandates. When the time is right, it'll be lifted like it once was before," said Gia Curran of New Britain.
Exceptions to the mandate include those unable to wear masks for medical reasons, including children under 2-years-old, and people who are eating and drinking.
The mayor noted that the town has been seeing a "high level of voluntary masking in West Hartford, and I want to thank everyone who is doing their part to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19."
Signs in the windows of some businesses show they're already asking customers to wear masks indoors. At Mecha Noodle Bar, West Hartford's mandate won't change much for employees.
"With the recent spike in cases we made the collective decision as a group to already keep the staff wearing masks," said Daniel Wrek, the beverage director for the restaurant.
For guests, it will mean wearing a mask until they are seated.
"While you're up and moving around the restaurant have a mask on when you pass other people. And then when you're seated obviously you can't eat or drink while you have a mask on," Wrek said.
Cantor said that a regional and statewide universal masking requirement would make sense. However, Gov. Ned Lamont has said numerous times that he is not considering a statewide mask mandate.
Last month, the town implemented a mask mandate for all municipal buildings.
Gaby Molina is a reporter and anchor at FOX61 News. She can be reached at gmolina@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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