Cities and towns across the state have begun considering temporary mask mandates now that a new state law allows them to do so.
The Legislature approved the municipal-option mask mandate law on Nov. 22, and Gov. Phil Scott signed it into law that day. Passage followed months of pressure from politicians and health officials to reinstate a statewide mask mandate in the face of Vermont’s worst Covid-19 surge.
Scott refused to impose a statewide mask mandate but offered to let municipalities adopt them if they wanted. The law expires April 30, at which point any existing mandates will be rescinded.
So far, some communities have adopted full indoor mask mandates in public places with fines for noncompliance. Others have recommended indoor mask use without requiring it. Others have not discussed the option at all.
As of Wednesday, Brattleboro, Burlington, Danville, East Montpelier, Essex, Rutland Town, Waitsfield, Warren, Williston and Winooski have passed mask mandates for all public indoor spaces.
Arlington, South Burlington, South Hero, Springfield and Weathersfield have passed mandates for municipal-owned buildings, also as of Wednesday.
The Norwich Selectboard plans to discuss this matter Wednesday. Cabot and Middlebury plan to take it up Dec. 14. Berlin and Richmond are slated to tackle the issue Dec. 20.
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These new mask mandates come at a time when Covid-19 is hitting Vermont hard, with students sent home to quarantine for long stretches, record-setting daily caseloads and overflowing intensive care units.
Under the law, communities must decide every 30 days whether to repeal their local mask mandates or extend them for an additional 30 days. Additionally, town and city governments cannot mandate mask-wearing in schools because they are under the jurisdiction of their local school boards.
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