Charlie Baker orders people to wear masks in public, no matter how far they are from other people

Authored by bostonglobe.com and submitted by jcepiano

“ The new order requires everyone above the age of 5 to wear a face covering in public. We’re making this clear for everyone. No more exceptions —and no exemptions for when you can maintain social distance,” Baker said at a State House news conference.

He updated his previous mask order, which only required mask-wearing in public places where social distancing of “approximately six feet” wasn’t possible.

With coronavirus cases on a worrisome rise, Governor Charlie Baker says Massachusetts residents must now wear masks in public places, no matter what their distance is from other people.

“It’s our hope that this simpler, more straightforward rule becomes easier for the public to follow and easier for local officials to enforce this mandatory order this way,” he said.

The stricter mask order was one of a bundle of “targeted measures” Baker announced Monday to stop the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic.

Masks or face coverings are encouraged but not required for children age 2 to 5, according to the order.

The order applies to both indoor and outdoor public places. Like the previous order, which went into effect on May 6, it covers, among other things, grocery stores, pharmacies, and retail stores; public transportation, taxis, livery, and ridesharing vehicles.

The new order also covers any location that hosts indoor or outdoor events or performances, carpools with non-household members — and “public streets and ways.”

“We’re basically saying, ‘If you go out in public, wear a mask,’” Baker said.

Martin finucane can be reached at [email protected].

jandetlefsen on November 3rd, 2020 at 02:31 UTC »

This is what we have been doing here in Thailand pretty much from day one. No ifs or buts. Of course we don't know how much masks have contributed to the fact that we have no local transmissions anymore for quite some time even though we had the first cases outside of China and Bangkok was the most popular oversea destination for tourists from Wuhan. No "island bonus" either, we had the borders open for quite some time. But it establishes a baseline: When you leave the house put on at least your pants, shirt and mask, the rest is optional. We never had any debate about it.

Now you are free to talk about additional measures but masks are a given because they cost nothing and require no sacrifices from anyone.

prguitarman on November 2nd, 2020 at 23:50 UTC »

Saving you a click, the article is literally just the headline and that photo.

Also some tiny print that says "Charlie Baker announced "targeted measures" to stem what appears to be a resurging coronavirus in Massachusetts, including tightening the state's mask-wearing order.Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff "

_MentosTheFreshmaker on November 2nd, 2020 at 22:33 UTC »

“The new order requires everyone above the age of 5 to wear a face covering in public. We’re making this clear for everyone. No more exceptions —and no exemptions for when you can maintain social distance,” Baker said at a State House news conference.

“It’s our hope that this simpler, more straightforward rule becomes easier for the public to follow and easier for local officials to enforce this mandatory order this way,” he said.

Well, it is a lot easier to enforce now.