*The following is an excerpt from a press release from the City of Springfield on Thursday, Sep. 9*

SPRINGFIELD -- By order of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Board of Health, the City of Springfield will implement a citywide mask mandate policy, regardless of vaccination status for all those over the age of two years old, effective Monday, September 13, 2021 and will remain in effect until November 1, 2021, unless otherwise amended or rescinded.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris joined with Baystate Health President and CEO Dr. Mark Keroack, Mercy Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Roose and City Council President Marcus Williams today for a COVID-19 Situational Update Press Conference to announce the mask mandate policy.  

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BOARD OF HEALTH ORDER

The mask mandate is for all public places including municipal buildings, private businesses, and public gatherings and events to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

Before the press conference and prior meetings with Mayor Sarno and HHS Commissioner Caulton-Harris, early this morning Dr. Keroack and Dr. Roose met with members of the business community and the Economic Development Council to discuss this coming mandate.  Also, Mayor Sarno and HHS Commissioner Caulton-Harris met with our Springfield Thunderbirds Hockey ownership group.  Mayor Sarno appreciates their cooperation and understanding and he looks forward to attending their upcoming season opener as a season ticket holder.  “At this time, we are only mandating that people wear a mask or face covering.  We are not imposing any capacity limitations,” Mayor Sarno said.