Face Covering Required in Ashland As of May 1

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ASHLAND – Face coverings are required in public in the Town of Ashland as of May 1.

The Ashland Board of Health voted on the emergency order on April 28.

Pursuant to the declaration of a public health emergency on March 10, 2020 by the Governor, the Ashland Board of Health voted to require a face covering in all “public areas including but not limited to parks, public buildings and walkways are hereby restricted. Gatherings include physical and interactive sports activities to include but not limited to playing frisbee, catch, tennis and other activities that may spread the Covid-19 virus from sweat,droplets and physical contact from an individual.”

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Under the order “individual passive recreational activities, such as walking, jogging and biking are exempt from this provision.”

The order also requires members of the public to wear a face covering when “entering any essential business as defined by Governor Baker’s Covid-19 Executive Order No. 21 as amended, including, but not limited to, restaurants, grocery stores, farm stand stores, pharmacies, home improvement stores, banks, ice cream manufacturers/dairies, government agencies, liquor/beer/wine stores, convenient stores.”

A face covering includes “fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over his or her nose and mouth. The facial covering does not have to be a surgical mask or N-95 respirator, which should be left for medical professionals
and first responders,” stated the order.

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“All employees of all essential businesses open to the public shall wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose, provided by their employers, during all hours of operation,” states the order.

“Food/Goods delivery personnel are considered employees and shall wear facial covering over their nose and mouth when delivering the food/goods to the customer if there is a person to person exchange. The facial covering
does not have to be a surgical mask or N-95 respirator, which should be left for medical professionals and first responders,” states the order.

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Ashland chose the order is required for everyone age 5 and older.

Neighboring Framingham when they issued their order in April required if for anyone age 2 or older.

Ashland’s emergency order shall be effective beginning MAY 1, 2020 and remain in effect until the Public Health Emergency declaration has been lifted by the Board of Health.

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