Board of Health Passes Order on Face Coverings

Special to the Transcript

The Winthrop Board of Health at their meeting on Sept. 15 approved an emergency order requiring face coverings to be worn at all parks, playgrounds, and athletic courts or fields.

The following is the emergency order:

Please read this order carefully.  Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is punishable by a fine of up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500) pursuant to CoViD-19 Executive Order No. 46.

Pursuant to the declaration of a public health emergency on March 20, 2020, in accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 111, Sections 31 and 122, 310 CMR 11.05, 105 CMR 300.200 and all other authorizing statutes and regulations, we, the Winthrop Board of Health in order to protect the public health during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency in light of current conditions, including an expected surge in COVID-19 cases, hereby issues the following order:

Individuals must comply with COVID-19 Executive Orders Nos. 31 and 46, which require face coverings.  In addition, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the community, all members of the public over the age of five (5), while in any park, playground, athletic court or field, must wear a face mask or cloth face covering, such as a fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over his or her nose and mouth at all times. Exceptions to this requirement include children age five (5) or younger and those unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition.  The face masks or cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be left for medical professionals and first responders. See this link for information on making a cloth face covering: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-make-cloth-face-covering.html

In addition, all members of the public are required to properly dispose of all gloves, masks and other personal protection equipment in appropriate disposal bins. Penalties for failure to properly dispose of these materials under the Town of Winthrop’s anti-littering and public nuisance ordinances (Section 13.12.100 of the Town’s Ordinances) shall be as follows: $50 for first offense; $100 for second offense; $300 for third or subsequent offense.  Fines for violation of both ordinances will be imposed.

This emergency order replaces the order voted on by the Winthrop Board of Health on September 8, 2020.

This Emergency Order shall be effective beginning Thursday, September 17, 2020 at 6:00 AM and remain in effect until notice is given, pursuant to the Board of Health’s judgment that the Public Health Emergency no longer exists. To the extent necessary, this Order shall be enforced by Board of Health officials and their agents, Winthrop Police Officers and Building Inspectors.