Greenfield Will Not Order People To Wear Masks In Public, Advisory Remains In Effect

By JULIE CUNNINGHAM and CHRIS COLLINS

(Greenfield, MA) – The city of Greenfield will not be requiring people to wear face coverings in public.

Mayor Roxann Wedegartner said an order would put undue stress on the city’s Emergency Operations Center, which would then be required to provide masks and Personal Protective Equipment to the general public. Wedegartner said the advisory issued last week recommends that people wear face coverings in situations where social distancing is difficult.

“Our issues here are access and primarily enforcement,” Wedegartner said. “This advisory is more like an ‘honor system.'”

A number of cities and towns have ordered that the public wear masks in public, including while shopping and patronizing establishments deemed “essential” by the commonwealth. Wedegartner says residents in need of a mask can contact the EOC during regular business hours. The city recently received 500 homemade masks from a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.