Newtown Lifts COVID-19 Mask Mandate For The Vaccinated

NEWTOWN, CT — First Selectman Dan Rosenthal this week lifted Newtown's month-old indoor mask mandate in the fight against the coronavirus, as the number of cases in town continues to fall.

Newtown's COVID-19 case levels had pushed the town into the red zone a month ago, which prompted Rosenthal to declare a mask mandate, much like other communities throughout Connecticut.

"Four weeks ago, I called with the news that an indoor mask mandate was being instituted for Newtown based on increasing COVID cases," Rosenthal said in a CODE RED message to Newtown residents Sunday night. "At that time, our case rate based on a two-week average was 16.9 cases per 100,000 population, which was above CDC guidance for indoor mask wearing at 10 cases per 100,000.

"At the time, I also shared the metrics that would need to be present in order to lift the mandate, which would require consecutive weeks of case decline where cases fall below CDC guidance.

"I'm pleased to report, our case rate per 100,000 over the last four weeks has gone from 17.2 to 15.1 to 10 to now 7.7. In addition, using a seven-day average we have been below 10 cases per 100,000 for two weeks. The trend line for Fairfield County has been similar.

"As such, effective [Monday] the mandate that all individuals regardless of vaccination status wear masks indoors in public spaces is lifted. This does not apply to our schools as that is under the purview of the Governor."

Rosenthal was quick to add that unvaccinated people are still required to wear masks indoors under state mandate, and some area businesses may still require them, which is allowed.

As of Sept. 18, 68.27 percent of Newtown residents were fully vaccinated.

"The best protection from serious COVID illness is to get vaccinated," Rosenthal said.

Information on vaccination can be found on the Newtown Health District webpage.