Connecticut's Governor Lamont gave the power to create mask requirements to municipalities, now an Executive Order, on Thursday.
New Haven will be the first city in the state to return to a mask mandate.
“Effective Monday, Aug. 9 at 12:01 a.m., the City of New Haven will require indoor masking at all establishments, such as bars, restaurants, theaters, and office buildings, regardless of people’s vaccination status,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. “This commonsense measure will help protect our residents amidst the increasing spread of the Delta variant.”
Elicker said the mandate never went away for municipal buildings. Will simply be expanded to include places where people are likely to potentially expose other people to the virus.
“The state’s positivity rate has increased nearly five fold in the past three weeks,” said New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond. “Nearly 2/3 of eligible residents in New Haven are now vaccinated, but vaccination still lags among younger residents and we still have thousands of residents who fall below the 12-year-old eligibility threshold.” Get out and get your shot today."
Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said he considering a similar order that would requiring masks in businesses such as restaurants.
Both Elicker and Bronin said they agreed that such an order is needed.
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