Report by Paula Antolini, August 26, 2021, 12:32PM EDT
East Hartford, CT—Mayor Marcia Leclerc has instituted a town-wide indoor mask mandate effective midnight on Tuesday, August 24th for the safety of our community. The order shall remain in place until further notice. All residents over 2 years of age should return to wearing masks when in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status, to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Individuals can be exempt from the mask mandate while eating or drinking, when spaced at least six feet apart or due to a medical condition, behavioral condition or a disability. Persons who decline to wear a mask or face covering due to these circumstances shall provide a written documentation to qualify them from exemption. Individuals who fail to wear a face mask or face covering will be subject to a $100 fine.
“It is imperative that all businesses and organizations follow this mandate as recommended by the CDC,” said Mayor Marcia Leclerc. “Businesses and organizations can help set the standard of protecting their employees and customers by adhering to the universal mask mandate during this fourth wave of the pandemic.”
East Hartford joins a growing list of municipalities in this initiative to stop the spread of COVID. On Friday, August 20th, Mayor Marcia Leclerc, in conjunction with the Capitol Region and Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments hosted a virtual press conference in support of a statewide indoor mask mandate. Masks reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread when they are consistently used by customers and employees, especially when physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
“COVID-19 community transmission among East Hartford residents has dramatically increased over the last several weeks due to the ongoing surge caused by the Delta variant,” said Director of Health Laurence Burnsed. “The number of cases reported during August to date is three times higher compared to the month of July. The evidence is clear that wearing facemasks in indoor settings can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Please be advised the Health Department continues to offer free and accessible vaccination clinics throughout town. We have seen a wonderful response from East Hartford adults 45 years and older with 86% receiving their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine; however, there’s still room for improvement among adolescents and young adults where 61% have received a COVID-19 vaccine. For a schedule of COVID vaccination clinics, please visit this link.
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