Coronavirus and Salem, MA — An update

Hi guys! I told you I would keep you updated as we got more information regarding the Coronavirus and Salem, MA, so here we are. Today’s blog post is a run down of updates, links to continued reading and resources for you.

Mask requirements in Salem, MA

The city recently passed a mask requirement and that information is as follows. Per the city of Salem:

“On Friday, March 20, 2020 the City of Salem Board of Health declared a Public Health Emergency in the City of Salem.

Pursuant to 310 CMR 11.05, 105 CMR 300.200 and all other authorizing statutes and regulations, acting by and through its agent authorized under MGL c. 111, §31 we, the Mayor and Board of Health of the City of Salem, Massachusetts, hereby order the following:

All persons who are not exempt, as set forth below, shall wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose when in public between the hours of 8:00 AM and 1:00 AM within the boundaries of the City of Salem downtown B-5 District.
All persons entering any City owned park or playground, including but not limited to, Salem Willows, Winter Island and Forest River Park, must wear a facial covering over their mouth and nose. A map to the Downtown B5 District and all City owned parks can be found at this link.
This Order shall apply to all places open to the public, whether indoors or outdoors. Use of medical grade masks is discouraged in order to avoid interfering with the supply of masks for medical workers and first responders. See this link for information on making a cloth face covering.
Exception: Children under the age of 2 years old are not required to wear face coverings. For children 2 years of age or older, a face covering should be used if possible and at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian. Parents who elect to fit their children with a face covering should be certain it does not obstruct or impede a child’s ability to breathe.
Exception: This Order shall not apply to persons for whom a face covering would cause impairment due to an existing health condition, or persons requiring a reasonable accommodation/modification as a result of a qualifying disability as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and/ or any applicable laws of the State, including those who cannot breathe safely; those who, due to a behavioral health diagnosis, are unable to do so; those communicating with people who rely upon lip-reading; and those who require supplemental oxygen to breathe.
Exception: This order shall not apply when people are participating in the following activities, a) those sitting/laying on the beach, b) those swimming in the water, c) while people are eating and d) while sitting in private vehicles.
All businesses shall not allow a patron to enter their establishment who is not wearing a face covering unless the patron qualifies for an exemption. All businesses shall post a sign on their main entrance doors advising consumers or patrons that it is mandatory that the consumer or patron entering the business or establishment wear a face covering. All business shall be responsible for requiring and overseeing that patrons waiting or queued to enter their place of business wear a face covering while waiting.

This emergency order shall be effective beginning SATURDAY, July 18, 2020 AT 12:01 AM and remain in effect until notice is given, pursuant to the Board of Health’s judgement, that the Public Health Emergency no longer exists.

Violations of this Order may be punishable by monetary municipal fines and to the extent necessary, this Order shall be enforced by Board of Health officials, Salem Police Officers and Building Inspectors.”

Please click the link above to see a map and list of areas that are included in this order.

Do you need to quarantine?

Per Mass.gov and as of the publish date of this blog:

“A number of states have issued travel restrictions. The situation is rapidly changing. For national travel information, please visit www.travel.state.gov.

All travelers arriving to Massachusetts – including Massachusetts residents returning home – are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days, except that, beginning July 1, 2020, travelers from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and New Jersey arriving in Massachusetts are exempt from this directive and need not self-quarantine for 14 days. In addition, workers designated by the federal government as essential critical infrastructure workers are exempt from the directive to self-quarantine for 14 days if traveling to Massachusetts for work purposes. All persons are instructed not to travel to Massachusetts if they are displaying symptoms of COVID-19.”

Are restaurants and businesses open?

Most businesses are functioning, either offering curbside pick up of orders, appointments to come into the shop or allowing people in at limited capacity. Some restaurants are offering outdoor seating, some are to-go orders only. Some walking tours are operating at limited capacity and with mask requirements. It varies depending on the business. Call ahead to the business you’re considering and ask them directly to get details.

Continued reading

The following links will also give you more information regarding visiting Salem during this pandemic.

I hope this information helps. Stay safe everyone!