As part of the City of Pittsfield’s ongoing mitigation efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Pittsfield Board of Health has issued an emergency order, effective May 4, requiring local food establishments to establish procedures for ensuring maximum occupancy levels, social distancing, and facial coverings.

Dr. Alan Kulberg, the board’s chair, says the order is consistent with and supplements Gov. Baker’s face covering order which goes into effect May 6 and requires masks to be worn in public spaces where social distancing is not possible. To read the order, visit the Board of Health page on the city’s website, cityofpittsfield.org. A direct link is available here: https://www.cityofpittsfield.org/city_hall/corona_virus/BOH%20Emergency%20Order%20- %20Stores.pdf

“We have made tremendous progress in our efforts to keep the public safe, but we are not in the clear yet. This order reinforces the personal habits and systems in food establishments that are necessary for a re-opening of our community,” said Kulberg, of the order that is enforceable by monetary fines for repeated offenses. “We all have an important part to play in slowing the spread and it’s a role that I think we should all take very seriously.”

Health Director Gina Armstrong emphasized that the order is a call to action to do the right thing in challenging times.

“Each of these measures help to protect the workers and the customers – our friends and family that we all care about,” she said.

The order requires all food establishment staff to wear protective face covering while in service. Signs must be posted at all entry doors advising customers that face covering is required and social distancing (6-foot separation) must be maintained inside and outside the establishment, an action that will be supervised and enforced by the establishment’s staff. A facility may impose stricter guidelines as it sees fit, Kulberg said.

“We know that in certain food establishments, there’s a ‘no-shirt, no-shoes, no-service’ policy. ‘No-mask, no service’ can also be added to that directive,” Kulberg said.

Essential retail establishments as defined by Gov. Baker’s COVID-19 Executive Orders must limit the number of customers and staff inside the establishment at any given time to 40 percent of its maximum permitted occupancy level so that social distancing of six feet may be maintained. Occupancy signage should be posted at each entrance and should visible to members of the public.

Establishments with a maximum occupancy of 25 or less are exempt from this requirement, the order states.

Regarding take-out service and food delivery, every employee of a business or workplace that delivers food to the public from outside the business or workplace must wear a face covering and gloves during such deliveries.

Additionally, brick and mortar establishments offering takeout service, serving ice cream, and other food items must maintain effective social distancing measures both inside and outside the establishment.

Obtaining masks

Masks can be purchased from the following outlets:

 Berkshire Seamsters (bulk orders only), email tylerstreetlab@gmail.com.

 Carr Hardware, 547 North St., 413-443-5611

 Jo-Ann Fabrics, 457 Dalton Ave., 413-447-8147

To see a list of frequently asked questions on the use of masks, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html

To stay connected to city updates on the coronavirus, a COVID-19 link is available on the home page of the city’s website and will feature continuous updates from the city. The public is also encouraged to use the subscription service to receive a notification when a new update from the city is available and sign up for CodeRED.

Residents across the state can now sign up to receive updates, news and prevention information related to COVID-19 by texting COVIDMA to 888-777.

For more information, please contact Roberta McCulloch-Dews, Director of Administrative Services, Office of the Mayor, 413-499-9322.

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