Central Falls To Reinstate Mask Requirement In City Buildings

CENTRAL FALLS, RI — Starting Monday, August 2, the City of Central Falls will require everybody, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a face mask inside any city-owned building.

The order from Mayor Maria Rivera comes as COVID-19 numbers rise again in Rhode Island with the spread of the delta variant. Central Falls has been one of the state's hardest-hit communities.

“We know what it’s like when COVID spreads like wildfire and causes complete destruction in our city," said Rivera. "We can’t let that happen again. Right now, too many of our families remain unvaccinated and are extremely vulnerable to this very dangerous variant of the virus.

Rivera said she hopes an increase in masking, testing, and vaccines will work to keep residents safe and avoid a larger uptick in cases. "We need to take these next few weeks very seriously,” the mayor said.

The order will apply in all city-owned public buildings. City employees will be required to wear a face mask while engaging with the public or in common areas.

The city continues to urge residents to get vaccinated and tested. Following new CDC guidance issued July 28, the city is encouraging all members of the community to wear a face mask in areas of substantial or high transmission, regardless of vaccine status.

Free COVID-19 tests are available for all residents at Jenks Park Pediatrics (577 Broad Street) or at Blackstone Valley Community Health Care (9 Chestnut Street).

COVID-19 pop-up vaccine clinics are being held weekly. On Saturday, July 31, a pop-up clinic will be held at the Colombian Festival at Francis Corrigan Sports Complex on Higginson Avenue. Appointments can be made here.