Facemasks
Infectious diseases are caused by germs, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Some diseases can be spread from person to person very easily through respiratory droplets. Public Health Officials have determined that it is possible for an infected individual to transmit certain diseases without exhibiting any symptoms. One of the best means of slowing the spread of diseases is through minimizing close personal contact with individuals in a public environment (known as physical distancing), covering your mouth and nose by wearing a face covering and the use of proper hygiene (such as handwashing and sanitizing). The wearer should prevent the spread of disease by not touching their face, nose, or eyes with unwashed hands and not touching the outside of the face covering at all times. Lastly, individuals shall employ physical distancing by keeping at least six feet between themselves and others to prevent the spread of respiratory droplets.
August 3, 2020, the Enfield Selectboard adopted an Ordinance Relative to Face Coverings. This ordinance remained in effect "during a period of a public health pandemic/state of emergency as declared by the Governor of the State of New Hampshire." Upon the expiration of the Governor's state of emergency the Enfield ordinance also expired.
October 7, 2021, the Enfield Selectmen adopted a Resolution urging, in the strongest possible terms, that facemasks be worn in public. See https://www.enfield.nh.us/facemasks/news/october-7-2021-resolution-relative-face-coverings for the complete resolution.
A policy was also adopted requiring the use of facemasks in the public spaces in the Town Offices, Public Works and Police Dept., including lobbies, hallways and meeting rooms. The requirement for the wearing of facemasks was extended, effective December 20, 2021 to include all events, public or private, taking place in the Enfield Community Building.
As a result of discussion by the Enfield Board of Selectmen at their meeting on March 7, 2022, the Enfield Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to support sunsetting the masking requirement in public spaces and municipal offices effective 11:59 PM, March 8, 2022. It is still recommended to wear masks when multiple people are gathered in an area and social distancing is difficult, and because of this the Select Board also decided to keep the mask requirement for all public meetings and town sponsored indoor gatherings. Read the full text, including recommendations for masking following CDC guidelines, in the new Policy Relative to Masking Requirements in Public Municipal Office Spaces.