Malden Declares Public Health Emergency Action: What That Means

MALDEN, MA — The Board of Health enacted new requirements on customers and employees of essential businesses this week due to the continued coronavirus shutdown. The emergency actions will remain in effect until it is determined that a Public Health Emergency no longer exists.

Effective immediately, the following requirements are in effect for employers, employees and customers of essential businesses:

• At no time is it acceptable to have the presence of any employee or agent of the business who is sick, feels sick, or exhibits symptoms of being sick; and any such person is to be sent home.
• All employees of essential services as defined by Governor Baker's COVID-19 Executive Orders, including but not limited to, grocery stores, pharmacies, drive thru food and coffee establishments, home improvement stores and the like should wear a face covering such as a fabric mask, scarf, or bandana over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public and within six feet of a co-worker. Employees whose duties involve handling food or in-person public interaction should also use other recommended personal protective equipment such as gloves.
• Essential Businesses shall implement a work policy mandating that employees self- certify to their supervisor at the start of each shift that: (1) the employee has no fever, (2) the employee has no measured temperature above 100 degrees, (3) the employee has no cough, sore throat, or trouble breathing, (4) the employee does not have diarrhea, (5) the employee has not been ordered to self- isolate by a doctor, or local health official, (6) the employee has not been ordered to quarantine by a doctor, health care provider or local health official, (7) neither the employees or household members have tested positive for COVID-19 or clinically diagnosed as having COVID-19, (8) the employee has not had “close contact” or exposure to an individual diagnosed with COVID-19.
• All members of the public entering any essential business as defined by Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Executive Orders, including but not limited to grocery stores, pharmacies, home improvements stores and the like must at all times wear a face covering, such as a fabric mask, scarf or bandana, over their mouth and nose. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical grade or N-95 respirators, which must be left for medical professionals and first responders.
• All members of the public entering a restaurant for the purpose of picking up food for take-out must wear a face covering over the mouth and nose.