AMHERST — The town’s public health officials could reinstate a requirement that anyone entering an indoor public space must wear a mask to protect against the spread of COVID-19.
The Board of Health will meet Thursday at 5 p.m. via Zoom to consider a mask mandate and provide an update on the effort to hire a full-time public health director, among other topics.
“The town is reviewing local data and is considering adopting new mask regulations,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman.
Data from the state Department of Public Health shows that the town has 16 active COVID-19 cases, and has seen a total of 2,854 since the start of the pandemic. There were 12 new cases in Hampshire County on Tuesday and 31 on Monday, the data show.
From August 2020 through mid-May, the town also had an outdoor mask mandate that applied to people on sidewalks and in parks. On Wednesday, it was not immediately clear whether a new outdoor mandate would be considered.
Northampton reinstated its public indoor mask mandate on Wednesday. Easthampton has issued a mask advisory urging everyone to wear a securely fitting mask over their mouth and nose when indoors and not at home, and to receive a COVID-19 vaccine if eligible. Similarly, Greenfield’s Board of Health issued an advisory Monday, recommending that people wear masks inside businesses and public buildings, regardless of whether they are vaccinated.
The current mask advisory from the Baker administration, based on federal guidance, went into effect on July 30. It states that everyone should wear a mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status; and that masks are required in all public and private transportation, including ride services and taxis.
Bockelman said Jennifer Brown, interim public health director, plans to join the board’s discussion on Thursday. Brown, a public health nurse, became interim director when Emma Dragon left the post last month.
The Zoom link for Thursday’s Board of Health meeting, and instructions for public participation, can be found on the meeting agenda, which is posted of the Board of Health website.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.