East Windsor Official Implements Mandatory Indoor Mask Policy

EAST WINDSOR, CT — In view of a recent upsurge in coronavirus cases, First Selectman Jason Bowsza has ordered "a town-wide mask mandate for any spaces that are frequented by the public," effective Friday.

The only exceptions to the mandate are children under 2, or "when people are seated and eating or drinking in an establishment, or when someone has a valid written medical exemption from a physician," according to the mandate released Thursday.

The complete text a letter from Bowsza to Town Clerk Amy Lam reads:

Over the last several weeks, the Town of East Windsor has seen and continues to see increasing diagnoses of COVID-19 cases in our community. According to the North Central District Health Department, East Windsor has now transitioned from a “yellow” town to an “orange” town when evaluating positive cases in the community.

in Executive Order 13A, Governor Lamont has left the authority for issuing mask mandates to the municipal Chief Executive Officer. The changing circumstances in Connecticut would be best served by Governor Lamont issuing statewide policy, rather than permitting one hundred and sixty-nine (169) different policies. In the absence of a statewide approach, the Town of East Windsor has been working with area towns to coordinate a unified policy. The towns of East Windsor, South Windsor, Windsor Locks and Manchester have been working with the twenty-nine (29) towns in the Capital Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) to encourage a unified municipal standard.

Our highest priority is to protect those most at risk from the virus — children and the elderly. Therefore, pursuant to Governor Lamont's Executive Order 13A, effective August 20 I am ordering a town-wide indoor mask mandate for any spaces that are frequented by the public. Exceptions to this mandate are children under two (2) years of age, or when people are seated and eating or drinking in an establishment, or when someone has a valid written medical exemption from a physician. All private businesses within the Town of East Windsor are required to have all employees and patrons wear a mask while in their facility according to CDC guidelines.

This order sets two goals. By lowering COVID-19- numbers, we can keep kids in school in person, and we can avoid any further business shutdowns or capacity mandates. Working towards these goals, this order serves to protect public health, safety and economic welfare in the community.

To register for free Windsor Locks-East Windsor news alerts and more, click here.