HADLEY — Masks and face coverings are being required for anyone 5 and over in all public indoor spaces as of last Sunday.
The Board of Health voted to implement the 30-day order due to the increasing COVID-19 cases caused by the delta variant.
The order describes the delta variant as twice as contagious and notes that it has begun to appear in cases in Hadley and makes up 85% of all COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts.
“As we see cases rise in surrounding counties and communities during this season of summer travel and gatherings, we are committed to preventing transmission, keeping our numbers as low as possible, and protecting our most vulnerable from severe illness with a new mask mandate,” the order states.
Masks and face coverings will be mandated in all workplaces in which the public is invited to enter for transacting business, including restaurants, bars, indoor performance and event venues, hotels and motels, gyms, fitness clubs, salons and places of worship.
The order applies to both employees and customers. Business and other entities in control of the indoor spaces could face $1,000 penalties if they allow customers to violate the order.
Face coverings may be removed for eating and drinking, such as in a movie theater, but otherwise must be worn.
The new order comes exactly a year after the board issued a similar, though more restrictive order, that also covered outdoor areas in the commercial district along Route 9.
The Board of Health anticipates revisiting the order in September, when it could continue, modify or revoke it, depending on the COVID-19 case counts.