IPSWICH — Town Manager Anthony Marino and Public Health Director Colleen Fermon are reminding residents that masks are required at all times in public following a recent rise in positive cases of COVID-19.
As of Monday, Nov. 16, there are 25 active cases of COVID-19 in Ipswich, an increase of 13 cases from last week.
“Masks are a key tool we have at our disposal to protect ourselves and those around us from COVID-19,” Fermon said. “The guidance has remained the same since the spring: wear a cloth face covering any time you’re around someone you don’t live with. Even if you are able to remain 6 feet apart, masks can and will reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19 or unintentionally infecting someone else.”
“We need our community to continue to be strong and commit to the precautions we all are all too familiar with: wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, washing your hands and if you feel sick, staying home,” Town Manager Marino said. “With the holidays on the horizon, it’s more important than ever that everyone does their part. Please, be responsible over the coming weeks and months. Do not forget that this virus is extremely contagious and can be deadly.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer the following tips on how to properly wear a mask:
- Always wash your hands before putting on your mask
- Your mask should cover your nose and mouth, and fit securely under your chin
- Your mask should fit snugly against the sides of your face
- Ensure you can breathe easily while wearing your mask
- Do not wear a mask around your neck or on your forehead
- Do not touch your mask. If you accidentally touch your mask, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer
- When taking off your mask, untie the strings behind your head or stretch the ear loops. Only touch your mask by its ties or ear loops
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth when taking off your mask
- Wash your hands after taking off your mask with soap and water
- After you’ve taken your mask off, fold the outside corners together and place your mask in the washing machine.
For more tips from the CDC about choosing, making, washing and wearing masks, click here.
Residents are further reminded of Gov. Charlie Baker’s updated gatherings order, which was announced on Nov. 2 and went into effect on Nov. 6. Under the order:
- Everyone must wear a mask in all public places, at all times, even if they can maintain six feet of distance or more from others. This exempts those with certain medical conditions or who are disabled and cannot wear a mask.
- Indoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people.
- Outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to 25 people.
- A stay at home advisory has been issued for 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. Residents are asked to only leave home during these hours to go to work or school, or for essential needs like seeking emergency medical care, or going to the grocery store or pharmacy.
- Certain businesses and activities must close nightly by 9:30 p.m. to support the stay at home advisory. Affected businesses include restaurants, liquor stores, adult-use marijuana sales, indoor and outdoor events, theaters and movie theaters (including drive-in movie theaters), performance venues, youth and adult amateur sports activities, golf facilities, recreational boating and boating businesses, outdoor recreational experiences, casinos and horse tracks/simulcast facilities, driving and flight schools, zoos, botanical gardens, wildlife reserves, nature centers, close contact personal services, gyms, fitness centers, health clubs, indoor and outdoor pools, museums, cultural and historical facilities and guided tours.
For the latest updates regarding COVID-19 in Ipswich, visit https://ipswichcovid19.com/.
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