MA Coronavirus: AG Healey Says Towns Can Require Facemasks

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey updated her guidance on local government powers, saying towns and cities in Massachusetts can require people to wear face coverings to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

"A municipality, through its Board of Health, can “use all possible care” to prevent the spread of infection, which may include issuing an order or reasonable regulations to require people to wear face coverings in public," Healey wrote in a Tuesday update of a documenting outlining what Massachusetts towns can legally do during the COVID-19 crisis.

Healey also said municipalities should make exemptions for people who would face increased health risks from wearing a face covering. "As an alternative, a municipality may also encourage people to wear face coverings in public on an advisory basis," the guidance document said.

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Several Massachusetts communities passed orders in recent weeks allowing them to fine people for not wearing face coverings when they are in public. Peabody's order allows for fines up to $1,000, while Salem can fine people up to $300. Somerville, Melrose, Needham and Waltham have also enacted mandatory face covering orders. Brookline was among the first to institute such an order earlier this month.

More Coronavirus Coverage On Massachusetts Patch:

• State Needs To Increase Coronavirus Testing To Safely Reopen
• CDC Data Suggest Coronavirus Death Count Higher
• Many MA Residents Still Waiting For Coronavirus Stimulus Checks
• Coronavirus Case Counts For Every Massachusetts Town (Updated April 29)

Dave Copeland writes for Patch and can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).