BOSTON — Businesses across the City of Boston are gearing up for a new mask mandate that takes effect Friday at 8 a.m. The mandate applies to most indoor spaces including retail stores, gyms, performance theaters, hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs.
One of the key exceptions where the mandate does not apply is churches.
Business owners in the city are bracing for some confusion over yet another set of rules. The order is similar to previous mandates but is not identical.
There are still some questions as to how it will be enforced in certain places, especially at bars and clubs.
“We know there’s going to be hiccups,” said Jamsion LaGuardia, the VP of Sales, Operations and Events for Royale Entertainment Group. “Our big thing is we’re not shutting down again.”
The city is requiring that people mask up while standing or ordering at the bar and is also mandating masks on indoor dance floors. However, the mandate allows people to remove face coverings when actively eating or drinking.
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“If you want to go out and party you have to understand this is the new world and these are the new rules in downtown Boston,” LaGuardia explained. “We’re going to learn as we go.”
Unlike the last time there was a mask rule in Boston, there are no seating or capacity restrictions. Boston 25 News checked in at businesses across the city on Thursday and most had ordered masks to have on hand in case people forget to bring a face covering.
“I think they never should’ve lifted it to begin with,” said Chanel Martinez.
While some are applauding the new mandate, others are questioning how long it’s going to last for.
“Businesses are going to go out of business with the masks again,” said Mike Curtis. “It’s extremely frustrating.”
The city’s website states, “This mandate will remain in place until we see a consistent downtrend in the city’s health data and community transmission levels are downgraded.”
The city has not defined a specific goal that would need to be achieved in order for the new mask order to be rescinded.
Newton also announced that it would be implementing a mask mandate for all indoor public spaces beginning Thursday, September 2.
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