Officials in Everett and Revere are stepping up efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in their cities, which have increased in recent weeks, the number of people testing positive for the virus.
Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria issued an executive order, effective Monday, requiring anyone over the age of 2 to wear a face mask or mask as in public spaces – indoors and outdoors – including parks and businesses as a fine of up to $ 300 per violation. The city’s police, health and inspection services department has been instructed to “strictly enforce these guidelines and issue warnings and / or violations” to those who do not comply with the mask mandate.
“I know these measures seem extreme; however, this virus is extreme, ”DeMaria said in a statement. “As we continue to struggle with the spread of the coronavirus, the response to curb the current pandemic and to lay the groundwork must be strengthened. We all need to understand the seriousness of the virus and work together as we get through this period of time together. ”
The mayor wrote that an increasing COVID-19 case count in the city “makes the measure” necessary. As of Monday morning, Everett had 1,915 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with an increase of eight new cases as of Sunday.
Everett is one of the communities in Massachusetts that is seeing an increase in cases where the state has launched free trials to combat the spread of the virus. In response to the uptick in cases seen in Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker set the limit for open meetings and set out the second step of Phase 3 of the state of state opening indefinitely.
“This uptick in cases and reports from people who do not follow the guidance we have given here in Massachusetts means that we cannot move forward at this time, or at some point in the very near future,” Baker said Friday. .
According to the latest weekly data on municipal affairs counts of the state Department of Public Health, Everett has seen a recent increase in her percent positive test rate, with about 4.82 percent of individuals testing in a span of 14 days of positive testing.
“Everyone should understand that we are one of a cluster of cities that have seen recent spikes in our figures,” DeMaria wrote on Facebook of the mask mandate. “A majority of these numbers are young adults, the people who gather at outdoor basketball games and so on. This policy is not permanent, but it will be in effect until we can slow down the spread. The last thing we want to do is take 10 steps back and end up where we were in March / April. For those who are upset, know that this is for the safety and well-being of all Everett residents. ”
In a statement released Monday, DeMaria said the intent of the executive order is not to issue fines, but “those in large groups have to wear face cover to stop the spread.”
Neighboring Revere also sees an increase in its percent positive test rate, with about 6.05 percent of individuals testing in a span of 14 days of positive testing. As of Sunday, the city had 2,129 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with an increase of 10 new cases from the previous day.
Revere Mayor Brian Arrigo announced a ‘weekend of action’ to address the spread of COVID-19 on Saturday, with efforts including increased community involvement, sanitation protocols, and enforcement of public health measures. Free trial is offered in Revere, with state officials encouraging councilors – even if they have no symptoms – to test to help control the spread.
“The weekend of action comes as the city’s Emergency Response Team monitors a constant uptick in daily new cases of COVID-19 among Revere residents, and a positive test rate that is three times higher than the state average,” said the mayor’s office in a statement.
The mayor’s office announced city employees were distributing masks at Revere Beach over the weekend, and the police department increased patrols of parks and playgrounds to discourage large gatherings, encourage mask wear and hand out face masks to those who ‘ t needed one.
By Monday morning, Massachusetts had seen 121,040 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began and 8,735 inhabitants died.
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