WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Effective at noon on January 6, all West Hartford residents will need to wear a face mask inside all indoor public places, regardless of vaccination status.
The requirement is being implemented in an effort to combat the surge in COVID-19 cases brought on by the Omicron variant, town officials explained.
Though residential homes are exempt, town officials urge residents to wear a mask while sharing a space with people who are not part of their own household.
Other exceptions include people who cannot wear a mask for medical reasons, including children under the age of two, and people who are eating or drinking.
"We believe this step is necessary given the current trajectory of infection rates and the number of neighboring communities implementing similar requirements. This is a temporary measure, and we will constantly evaluate the need to continue the requirement," Mayor Shari Cantor said in statement.
Both Cantor and Town Manager Matt Hart acknowledge that the town already has a high level of voluntary masking.
"We are very appreciative of the high level of voluntary compliance we are already seeing," Hart said.