Fourth Amended Temporary Emergency Order Requiring the Wearing of Masks or Cloth Face Coverings in All Public Places, Businesses, and Common Areas of Residential Buildings

The City of Cambridge has issued the Fourth Amended Temporary Emergency Order Requiring the Wearing of Masks or Cloth Face Coverings in All Public Places, Businesses, and Common Areas of Residential Buildings (the “October 2, 2020 Amended Mask Order”), which went into effect immediately. 

The purpose of this amendment was to conform with state orders and to clarify an issue concerning common areas of residential buildings. 

Specifically, the October 2, 2020 Amended Mask Order conforms to the latest requirements by the state concerning children and face coverings.  The state requires face coverings for all persons over the age of 5 attending indoor or outdoor gatherings.  The state also requires that children under the age of 2 not wear face coverings or masks.  For children 2 years of age and older, a mask or face covering should be used, if possible.  Mask use by children 2 years of age and up through the age of 5 is encouraged but should be at the discretion of the child’s parent or guardian at this time.  In regard to common areas of residential buildings, the October 2, 2020 Amended Mask Order clarifies that in common areas, masks or cloth face coverings may be temporarily removed while eating or drinking when seated in outdoor seating areas, so long as a distance of at least six feet is maintained at all times. 

The remaining provisions of the Third Amended Temporary Emergency Order Requiring the Wearing of Masks or Cloth Face Coverings in All Public Places, Businesses, and Common Areas of Residential Buildings, which went into effect today (Friday, October 2nd), remain in effect.