Where in CT Face Masks Are Required and No Longer Required

Several Connecticut cities and towns require face masks in local government buildings because of COVID-19, some communities have issued all-out indoor face mask mandates for all public settings and others are easing restrictions.

Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order that allows municipal leaders to enact mask mandates for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people while inside public places.

Governor Gives Towns, Cities Ability to Dictate Mask Requirements

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The executive order allows municipal leaders to move beyond Lamont’s current edict, which requires only unvaccinated people to wear masks while inside public places. It also requires everyone to wear them in specific settings, such as health care facilities, prisons, daycare sites and public and private transit.

This comes as cases in Connecticut have risen rapidly due to the spread of the Delta variant, according to the state Department of Health.

Note: This is a developing list and will be updated.

ANDOVER

Face masks are required at town hall and the library.

ANSONIA

Ansonia City Hall is open to visitors, but you need to use a door buzzer and wear a mask.

The police department lobby is open to the public as usual. ARMS, Nature Center, Library and Public Works buildings are employee-only. The Transfer Station will remain open to the public.

ASHFORD

Masks are required in town buildings.

AVON

All employees and visitors are now required to wear masks in town facilities, including the library, regardless of vaccination status. For full details, click here.

BARKHAMSTED

Anyone entering town hall must wear a mask, even if they have been vaccinated.  The town will provide masks on each level of entry that will be given to anyone who needs one.  

All employees will be required to wear a mask in shared office space and common areas, except when eating or drinking, and when meeting with the public.

BEACON FALLS

Town hall and the library are requiring all visitors to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. Social distancing while inside the building is also encouraged.

The library is still offering curbside pickup.

BETHANY

Masks are required to enter town hall.

BETHEL

Bethel is requiring face masks in all indoor areas, regardless of vaccination status, where safe social distancing cannot be maintained. This includes all indoor spaces that are open to the public.

Face masks that cover both the mouth and nose are mandatory, regardless of vaccination status, are also required when visiting town hall and other town buildings.

Face masks will be provided at the main entrances to town hall for visitors who need one.

BETHLEHEM

Masks are preferred in town offices.

BLOOMFIELD

On August 18, Bloomfield town officials announced a mask mandate for any indoor public spaces where social distancing is not possible. The order does not apply in residential dwellings. Violators can be fined $100.

BOLTON

The town of Bolton is requiring masks inside town buildings.

BOZRAH

The general public is required to wear face masks when entering the Town Hall building.

BRANFORD

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated should wear a mask or cloth face covering in town buildings. All fully vaccinated persons are strongly urged to wear a mask or face covering.

The East Shore District Health Department and their member towns of Branford, East Haven and North Branford strongly recommend people wear masks when indoors at all public places, regardless of vaccination status.

BRIDGEPORT

The City of Bridgeport is requiring people to wear facial masks while indoors at any public places and/or in any business.

Facemasks will be needed when attending public indoor venues, including restaurants, grocery stores, theaters, gyms, and/or retailers.  

Masks will also be required in indoor settings. Including municipal buildings, and businesses.

The use of masks in public parks is recommended, especially in instances of gatherings, and at parks, and settings where social distancing is not possible.

BRISTOL

The general public is required to wear a face mask while in city hall until further notice.

BROOKFIELD

Brookfield has extended the mask requirement to include all publicly used indoor spaces.

A face mask that covers the nose and mouth is mandatory in all indoor areas, both public and private, regardless of vaccine status, where safe social distancing cannot be maintained. This includes all indoor spaces that are open to the public.

This does not apply for private residences, workspaces not accessible to the general public; indoor restaurant dining when seated at the table or outdoor dining,

Brookfield town hall is requiring all visitors and employees to wear masks while inside the building.

BURLINGTON

Masks are "highly recommend" inside Town of Burlington buildings for all visitors.

CANTON

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, is required to wear face masks when inside municipal buildings.

CHAPLIN

Chaplin is requiring all employees, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear a mask while working in an indoor setting and everyone, vaccinated and unvaccinated, who enters a town building is asked to wear a mask.

CHESHIRE

The town of Cheshire is no longer requiring vaccinated employees to wear masks, with the exception of direct interactions with the general public.

Masks remain required in public areas inside the library, Yellow House, Youth Center and Artsplace because of the significant amount of people aged 12 and under who visit these facilities and who aren't presently eligible to get vaccinated, officials said.

Employees who aren't vaccinated will also have to wear face masks at all times with the exception of working in separate personal work spaces. More information on the town's mask requirements can be found here.

COLCHESTER

Town officials lifted the mask mandate in Colchester as of Oct. 1 after speaking with the Director of Chatham Health about a decrease in cases. The town says they're dropping the mandate and encouraging residents to get vaccinated.

People who are not vaccinated will still be required to wear masks in indoor public settings, town officials said. People are still being advised to social distance as a means to decrease exposure and also to consider wearing a mask where it's not possible, no matter your vaccination status. For more information, click here.

COLUMBIA

Columbia re-instituted face mask requirements for all employees and visitors within town buildings.

CORNWALL

Residents are asked to wear a mask when inside a building, including visits to Town Hall and the Transfer Station.

COVENTRY

Public buildings in Coventry are requiring facemasks indoors.

DANBURY

Danbury is mandating that all individuals wear masks at all times while in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status. The mayor cited the spread of the delta variant as the reason for the order.

People visiting city hall must wear a mask inside the building.

DARIEN

Masks are required in town hall for all - vaccinated and unvaccinated.

EAST HAMPTON

Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask when they are indoors at a public place. 

East Hampton is requiring people to wear masks when entering town government buildings to work or to conduct business, regardless of vaccination status. 

Chatham Health District is requiring its employees and visitors to wear masks in its facilities and is also requiring its employees to wear masks while conducting district business in the community. 

EAST HARTFORD

A town-wide indoor mask mandate went into effect at midnight. All residents over 2 years old should wear masks in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

There is an exemption while eating or drinking, when spaced at least six feet apart or due to a medical condition, behavioral condition or a disability.

Persons who decline to wear a mask or face covering due to these circumstances will need written documentation.

People who fail to wear a face mask or face covering will be subject to a $100 fine.

The Town of East Hartford has reinstituted face mask requirements for all employees and visitors, regardless of their COVID-19, vaccination status, for all town facilities.

People visiting town of East Hartford facilities must wear a facemask at all times. Remote services are available online, by phone and by dropbox for those who are unable to comply with the mask requirements, according to local officials.

Information on remote services is available on the Town website at www.easthartfordct.gov or by calling the Town Hall at 860-291-7100.

EAST HAVEN

The East Shore District Health Department and their member towns of Branford, East Haven and North Branford strongly recommend people wear masks when indoors at all public places, regardless of vaccination status.

EAST LYME

Masks will be mandatory in all Town of East Lyme municipal buildings regardless of vaccination status. Employees may be unmasked if they are able to maintain a safe 6-foot distance from others.

EASTON

All visitors will be required to wear masks while in public buildings.

The Towns of Fairfield, Westport and Easton are coming together to issue temporary town wide mask policies effective Monday, Aug. 23, as a regional response to the spread of the Delta variant.

All residents of these towns who are over 2, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, must wear a mask when indoors in public places

EAST WINDSOR

The Towns of East Windsor has issued an indoor townwide face mask mandate for any space that is frequented by the public.

ESSEX

Masks are required for all town hall employees and visitors.

FAIRFIELD

Fairfield town officials have decided to lift the current indoor mask mandate effective immediately and follow the CDC's guidance which recommends masks be worn indoors and when in close contact with others.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said that anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask indoors should continue to do so. She urged that businesses still have the authority to require masks for their employees and customers under the governor's executive order.

"I have done my best to guide our town through the pandemic and make thoughtful, informed decisions for our community. We have all been through a lot together over the last 18 months and emotions continue to run high. I'm asking our community once again to please be respectful to each other regarding differences of opinion because in the end, we are neighbors," Kupchick said in a statement.

FARMINGTON

Town hall is requesting visitors wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

FRANKLIN

The Board of Selectmen has reinstated the mask mandate in all Town Facilities regardless of vaccine status.  If you are uncomfortable with or unable to wear a mask, please reach out to the office you wish to contact and accommodations can be arranged.  

GLASTONBURY

The town of Glastonbury discontinued its mask mandate as of Saturday because of a decrease in COVID-19 cases in the area. Glastonbury has moved outside the red zone, although officials say they'll continue to monitor data and trends weekly to see if another mandate is necessary.

More information is available here.

GREENWICH

Greenwich instituted a universal mask requirement and enforcement began Monday, August 23.

All visitors to town hall are also required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.

GROTON

An indoor mask mandate went into effect on Monday, Aug. 23.

All employees and visitors entering Town of Groton facilities are required to wear a mask. Anyone who declines to wear a face mask or cloth face covering because of a medical condition is required to call ahead to make alternative arrangements.

GUILFORD

All members of the public, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, are required to wear a mask in all town buildings.

HAMDEN

Hamden has issued a mask mandate for all indoor public spaces. Face masks will also be required at outdoor gatherings of more than 250 people at Town of Hamden facilities or parks.

HAMPTON

Anyone entering Hampton town hall must wear masks.

HARTFORD

Hartford has an indoor mask mandate for city facilities and the city instituted an indoor face mask mandate for the whole city.

The face mask mandate is in effect for anyone indoors in Hartford, except for those with relevant medical conditions, children under the age of 2, while eating or drinking, and for people who are alone in an indoor space or in an office setting where there are partitions between them and other people. 

Hartford Public Schools will also require educators, staff, and students to wear masks. 

KILLINGWORTH

Town Hall is open to masked visitors. 

LEBANON

Town employees will wear masks in town facilities and residents are encouraged to do the same. Masks will be available at entrances.

LISBON

Masks and social distancing will continue to be required at town hall until further notice.

LYME

Masks are required for all employees and visitors to Town facilities, regardless of their vaccination status.

MADISON

The town reinstituted an indoor mask requirement for all town facilities for all town employees and members of the public, regardless of vaccination status.

Residents are encouraged to wear a mask in any indoor public space, including local retail stores, restaurants and other indoor settings.

MANCHESTER

Manchester has a town-wide mask mandate for all indoor spaces that are frequented by the public. The only exemptions to this mandate are when people are seated and eating or drinking in an establishment or have a valid written medical exemption from a physician.

Masks are also mandatory in Manchester's public municipal buildings.

MANSFIELD

Mansfield has issued an emergency order requiring mask or cloth face covers to be worn by everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public spaces, meeting spaces, private businesses, and all places of employment except when eating or drinking.

MERIDEN

The City of Meriden is strongly recommending that all residents and visitors wear masks when conducting business in indoor settings, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not. Masks are required to be worn inside city buildings such as City Hall, the Library, and Senior Center.

The city is encouraging businesses to adopt universal masking requirements for customers entering indoor areas of their businesses.

MIDDLEBURY

Masks are whether vaccinated or not, or if you have already had COVID at all town facilities.

MIDDLETOWN

Employees and the public, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask in City-owned buildings.

MONTVILLE

Masks are required in all town facilities. While conducting business at town hall, wear a mask and keep distanced.

NEW FAIRFIELD

New Fairfield joined neighboring towns of Danbury, Ridgefield, Redding, Brookfield and Bethel to require masks in all publicly used indoor spaces. They are required in both public and private, regardless of vaccine status, where safe social distancing cannot be maintained. This includes all indoor spaces that are open to the public. The order does not include private residences, workspaces not accessible to the general public, indoor dining when seated at the table and outdoor dining.

NEWINGTON

All Town buildings will be closed to the public. All services must be provided remotely, online, curbside, etc. Any in-person programming or services should be done outdoors (masks suggested, social distancing required). Masks are required for all, regardless of vaccination status.

Due to an increase in COVID cases. 

NEW HAVEN

The city of New Haven is now requiring people to wear masks indoors, whether or not they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Masks are required indoors at all establishments, such as bars; restaurants, when you’re not eating; retail establishments; theaters; and office buildings.

NEW LONDON

New London is requiring masks while in city buildings.

There will be signs posted at the entrance to New London city buildings along with a supply of masks for visitors. The city notes that if someone cannot wear a mask because of a medical condition or if someone has a religious objection, they can call ahead and make an appointment for service.

According to a news release from Mayor Michael Passero, the city's finance building will be open to the public by appointment only.

Passero stressed the importance of the new requirement because of new data that shows fully vaccinated people who are infected with the delta variant might be infectious and can spread the virus to others.

NEW MILFORD

Masks are required in all town municipal buildings.

NORTH BRANFORD

The mask policy for North Branford municipal buildings requires masks for unvaccinated individuals and recommends them for vaccinated individuals.

The East Shore District Health Department and their member towns of Branford, East Haven and North Branford strongly recommend people wear masks when indoors at all public places, regardless of vaccination status.

NORTH HAVEN

All members of the public, whether vaccinated or not, will be required to wear a face mask or suitable face covering when inside all town buildings.  

NORTH STONINGTON

Masks are required for all entering Town Hall and the meeting space at 298 Norwich Westerly Road.

NORWALK

The city of Norwalk is requiring indoor face coverings for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. This includes at bars, gyms, restaurants, movie theaters, supermarkets and everywhere physical distancing cannot be maintained. According to the mayor's office, this will be enforced by the Norwalk Police Department and Norwalk Health Department.

NORWICH

The city of Norwich announced a mask mandate taking effect Monday, August 23 through at least October 22.

ORANGE

The general public is required to wear a mask when conducting business in all town buildings.

PORTLAND

Due to the new Delta variant, masks are required at town hall regardless of vaccination status.

PROSPECT

Masks must be worn in all town buildings.

REDDING

Redding is requiring mask-wearing in all municipal buildings as well as all indoor public spaces.

RIDGEFIELD

The Town of Ridgefield joined the neighboring communities of Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, and Redding in requiring all individuals to wear masks while in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.  

ROCKY HILL

The town of Rocky Hill now says that vaccinated town staff working in office settings do not need to wear masks. However, masks will be required when interacting in-person with members of the public, and in elderly and childcare settings.

Municipal buildings in Rocky Hill will be open to the public for business, but officials say visitors will have to wear a face mask. Previously, municipal buildings were only open by appointment only. More information can be found here.

ROXBURY

Face masks are required in town hall.

SHARON

Masks must be worn in town hall.

SIMSBURY

All staff and visitors to town buildings are required to properly wear face coverings, including attendees of public meetings. Individuals that have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, or are currently ill should not visit the town facilities in person.

SOUTHBURY

Masks will be required in municipal buildings. The mask mandate took effect on Monday, Aug. 16.

SOUTH WINDSOR

South Windsor is implementing an indoor mask mandate on Friday, Sept. 3.

When indoors, in a public location of a private business, everyone must wear a mask unless they are seated and eating or drinking in an establishment; or vaccinated, isolated, stationary and more than six feet from another individual; or has a valid written medical exemption from a physician.

All private businesses within the Town of South Windsor are required to have all employees and patrons wear a mask while in their facility and following the CDC mask wearing guidelines.

SPRAGUE

Fully vaccinated employees and the public are asked to return to wearing masks. Masks are required for all unvaccinated employees and residents.

STAMFORD

All employees, vaccinated or unvaccinated, are required to wear a mask in the government center and other city facilities. Visitors and the general public are required to wear a face mask at all times when in the government center and other city facilities.

Stamford has instituted a face mask mandate for all indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

The mayor said a mask or face covering will be required in any private indoor business or place of employment where social distancing is impractical, unlikely, or difficult to maintain.

The requirement extends to bars, restaurants, theatres, office buildings, and gyms.

Masks will also be required at all outdoor gatherings of more than 100 persons at City of Stamford facilities or parks, regardless of vaccination status.

STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX

People entering buildings on the state Capitol campus in Hartford are now required to wear masks or other appropriate face coverings when in common areas, including fully vaccinated individuals. 

STONINGTON

Stonington is mandating the wearing of masks in the common areas of town hall and human services and is requiring those entering town hall and human services to wear masks.

STRATFORD

Staff and visitors to town hall are required to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.

TRUMBULL

Visitors to Town Buildings and employees who are fully COVID-19 vaccinated do not need to wear a mask or face covering. Visitors to Town buildings and employees who are not fully COVID-19 vaccinated must wear a mask or face covering in all public areas and offices. Unvaccinated employees in their private office are not required to wear a mask or face covering while alone in their private office.

WATERFORD

 Masks are mandatory in all municipal buildings, regardless of vaccination status. 

WESTBROOK

Everyone is required to wear a mask indoors in Westbrook municipal buildings, regardless of vaccinations status.

WEST HARTFORD

The Town of West Hartford will impose a local universal indoor mask mandate effective at noon today and until further notice.

The indoor mask mandate will require everyone to wear a mask in any indoor place in town. It does not apply to residences. The exceptions are for people who are more than six feet apart, people with a medical condition, behavioral condition, or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask, anyone under the age of 2 years and when people are eating and drinking.

Masks are required in all West Hartford municipal buildings.

Employees and visitors are required to wear a mask when entering municipal buildings and in public areas within the building including hallways, restrooms, and meeting rooms.

Greeters will offer a mask to visitors if they arrive without one. Exceptions will be made for people with health issues that prevent them from wearing a mask.

WEST HAVEN

Face masks are required to enter all city buildings. This mandate applies to everyone, even those who are fully vaccinated.

For more information about the mandate, click here.

WESTON

Staff, visitors and patrons of all town buildings, including the library and town hall, are required to wear a mask regardless of individual vaccination status.

WESTPORT

The Towns of Fairfield, Westport and Easton are coming together to issue temporary town wide mask policies effective Monday, Aug. 23, as a regional response to the spread of the Delta variant.

All residents of these towns who are over 2, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, must wear a mask when indoors in public places.

Staff, visitors and patrons of all Westport town buildings, including the library, have been are required to wear a mask regardless of individual vaccination status.

Visitors are required to follow contact tracing, mask requirements, temperature checks and other safety protocols when entering buildings.

WETHERSFIELD

Effective Saturday, August 28, Wethersfield will have a mask mandate for all indoor venues open to the public. This includes businesses, restaurants, town buildings and meeting spaces.

The following situations are exceptions:

• Persons in an indoor space alone or otherwise separated from others by a partition and/or at least six feet of distance.
• Persons currently consuming food or beverages at a restaurant, bar or venue serving food and/or beverage.
• Persons two years and younger.
• Persons with a valid, written medical exemption from a physical.

WILLINGTON

Willington is reinstituting face mask requirements for all employees and visitors within town buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

The Eastern Highlands Health District recommends that vaccinated persons wear masks in public indoor spaces.

WILTON

Masks must be worn in municipal buildings by all unvaccinated individuals over 2 years of age. 

WINCHESTER

All members of the town staff and all members of the public will be required to wear masks in public buildings in Winchester, regardless of vaccination status.

WINDSOR

The town of Windsor has enacted a town-wide mask mandate.

It applies for anyone over the age of 2 who enters indoor spaces that are frequented by the public. Those who are seated and eating or drinking at restaurants are exempt as are those persons that have a valid written medical exemption.

The town of Windsor is requiring face coverings for all individuals in all town facilities regardless of vaccination status.

WINDSOR LOCKS

The Towns of East Windsor, South Windsor and Windsor Locks strongly encourage all residents and visitors to our community to wear masks when conducting business within establishments.

WOLCOTT

People going to town hall must wear a mask and remain six feet apart from others.

WOODBURY

According to the town website, face masks are required to enter any town buildings.