Published April 23, 2020

By MAUREEN DOHERTY

NORTH READING – Joining other communities across the state, the town’s Board of Health adopted an order last Thursday night requiring facial coverings, such as a fabric mask, scarf or bandana, to be worn over the nose and mouth in most situations when out in public.

The order, endorsed by Health Director Robert Bracey, Board of Health Chairman Gary Hunt and Board of Health members Pamela Vath and Karen Martin, went into effect at noon on Saturday, April 18 until further notice.

The surge in COVID-19 cases is expected to hit the state within the next two weeks and on Tuesday, Gov. Baker declared that no public or private schools would re-open in the current academic year.

These facial coverings, shall be worn over the nose and mouth under the following circumstances:

• By all members of the public entering any essential business as defined by Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Executive Orders, including, but not limited to: grocery stores, farm stand stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores, banks, ice cream manufacturers/dairies, government agencies, liquor/beer/wine stores, convenience stores, and the like.

• By all members of the public entering a restaurant or drive-thru for the purpose of picking up food for take-out or medication.

• By all employees of all essential businesses open to the public.

• By all food/goods delivery personnel when delivering the food/goods to the customer if there is a person-to-person exchange.

• By any resident or member of the general public, including workforce, entering or exiting a residential or commercial building complex of greater than one (1) unit while in common areas and communal spaces.  Social distancing must be exercised in these spaces in accordance with CDC guidelines as well.

Bandanas, other coverings okay

The facial covering does not have to be a surgical mask or N-95 respirator, which the Board of Health states should be left for medical professionals and first responders.

Cloth facial coverings can be made using items found in the home. Go to this CDC site for ideas: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Order to properly dispose of all PPE’s

Additionally, the Board of Health action requires the proper disposal of all gloves, facial coverings and other personal protection equipment (PPE) or other potentially virus-contaminated items in appropriate disposal bins.

The order authorizes fines to be issues to violators. The order states: “Penalties for failure to properly dispose of these materials will be in accordance with state and local law. In accordance with the Town of North Reading Emergency Declaration, those who improperly dispose of gloves, facial coverings, and other materials may be fined up to $300 per offense.”

Businesses affected by the order are also required to post signage alerting the public of the provisions as follows:

• Each applicable essential business shall post signage at public and employee entrances requiring facial coverings and social and physical distancing of six feet from one another.

The full text of the order includes a template example for businesses to follow. It may be downloaded by visiting the town of North Reading’s website at: https://www.northreadingma.gov/sites/northreadingma/files/news/boh_order_requiring_facial_coverings_final.pdf

COVID-19 cases rise to 66

As of Tuesday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has notified the town of North Reading of 66 cases of COVID-19 in the town, an increase of six cases since the last update on Friday, April 17.

Forty-six individuals have recovered, up from 25 last Friday, and the Health Department continues to monitor 18 individuals, a decrease of 15 cases since last Friday.  One individual has succumbed to the disease while a second individual is suspected of having succumbed to it.

“The town has also been notified of a death that is a suspected but unconfirmed case, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased,” stated Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto following last Friday’s update.  “The second deceased case met the criteria for a higher risk of severe illness as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

Previous updates may be found by visiting: https://www.northreadingma.gov/home/news/town-north-reading-coronavirus-covid-–-19-information