Gov. Charlie Baker has characterized mandatory face coverings as a likely part of a "reopened" Massachusetts economy after the state begins phasing out the non-essential business closure order that was issued on March 23rd.

IBerkshires.com reports that essential businesses that have remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that will carry the load of enforcement. According to Governor Baker’s order, if the grocery stores, pharmacies and other retail stores that were singled out in the executive order don’t require customers to cover up, those establishments and or the non-compliant customers could be fined up to $300 per occurrence.

The Seamsters are a network of four dozen Berkshire County residents working out of their homes to produce masks that conform to guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that can be wholesaled to local agencies or retailed at more than a dozen locations throughout the county.

Retail locations with Berkshire Seamsters masks available include:
Berkshire Co-op, Great Barrington
Carr Hardware, Lee, Lenox, Great Barrington, North Adams, Pittsfield
Common Folk Artist Collective, North Adams
Dottie's, Pittsfield
George's Liquor Store, Pittsfield
Guido's, Pittsfield and Great Barrington
Hashim's Package Store, Pittsfield
Kelly's Package Store, Dalton
Lee Hardware True Value, Lee
Lenox Nursery, Acton
Liquors Inc, Pittsfield
The Locker Room Sports Bar, Lee
Loeb's Market, Lenox
River Valley Co-op, Northampton
Spirited Wines, Lenox
West Stockbridge Public Market
Wild Oats Market, Williamstown

CEO of Berkshire Money Management will be giving away free masks on Thursday 6/6.

Iberkshires.com reports that visitors will be asked to drive through the circular driveway, going clockwise, stopping at a no-touch handoff point to receive a family-sized package of five masks. All masks are donations from BMM and will be provided on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Berkshire Money Management has already donated nearly 30,000 masks and other PPE to the local community.

 

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