STAMFORD, Conn. (WCBS 880) — With COVID-19 cases climbing throughout Connecticut, Stamford and Bridgeport on Tuesday announced the cities will be instituting new face mask mandates.
Both cities were the latest in the state to issue a mask mandate for all indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status, following behind Hartford and New Haven.
“This coming Thursday at 8 a.m., face masks are required at all retail and indoor public spaces in Stamford,” said Stamford Mayor David Martin.
Mayor Joe Ganim also signed an executive order Tuesday requiring people to wear masks indoors at any public place or in any business. The mandate goes into effect on Wednesday at midnight.
The requirements extend to bars, restaurants, theaters, office buildings, and gyms.
Masks will also be required at all outdoor gatherings of more than 100 persons in Stamford, Mayor Martin noted.
“Even though it is outdoors, because it's within a city of Stamford facility or in a park, we're going to require that those people, when there's gatherings of more than 100, they also must wear masks," the mayor said.
Mayor Ganim says the face coverings will help protect vulnerable residents and children who cannot get vaccinated.
"The masks will help in any situation for those that are vaccinated, not vaccinated, individuals that are vulnerable, and especially to help stop this virus from spreading to a child that is not eligible for the vaccine,” said the Bridgeport mayor.
There will be warnings and enforcement efforts in both cities. If the number of COVID-19 cases comes down, the mask mandates will be lifted.
Meanwhile, Mayor Martin is also urging the Board of Education to require masks in schools and to mandate that teachers be vaccinated.
“Our kids are not vaccinated, the delta variant – and who knows what variant has yet to come – appears to be spreading more within children than the original one,” the mayor said.
Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont issued a statewide order allowing all municipal leaders to issue mask mandates for their respective towns and cities.
In a statement, Martin said the mask mandate is for the health and safety of Stamford residents.
“This mask mandate is in the best interests of the people of our City, and is necessary to minimize the substantial threat to public health due to the ongoing rise in the spread of COVID-19,” he said in a statement.
New Haven became the first city in Connecticut to mandate masks in indoor spaces on Monday. Hartford’s mandate will go into effect at midnight on Wednesday.