WORCESTER, Mass. - The City of Worcester issued a city-wide mask mandate on Friday morning. It will go into effect Monday, Sept. 20.

The mask mandate is one of two emergency orders issued by the city's Medical Director, Dr. Michael Hirsh.

There's already a mask order requiring face coverings in city buildings. It's being extended to anyone five years old and up.  Starting on Monday regardless of vaccination status, people will have to wear mask in all indoor private, common areas in places like gyms, liquor stores, and other businesses. 

There are exceptions to the order, including removing your mask while eating or drinking at a restaurant and when receiving personal services like getting a haircut. 

“We are in kind of in an early crisis mode," Dr. Hirsh said. "We are using an incremental approach."

But some say masks aren’t good for already hard hit business. Tim McDonald owns Worcester Fitness and says his business felt the impact during the last mandate.

"I hate to see my family business go down the tubes because these rules are being put in place again," McDonald said, adding  some people don’t want to wear a mask while working out.

”I don’t want to be the mask police," MacDonald said. 

At McGovern’s Greendale Package store they aren’t surprised by the city's action.

“I think it's something we all expected. Unfortunately, it is what it is and we do what we have to do," the store's manager, William Talcott said. "We are licensed by the city of Worcester. So, whatever they say we do. It's going to be unfortunate and uncomfortable. But if it's to protect us all, and get through this then so be it."

A second emergency order requires businesses in the city to report all positive COVID-19 cases among employees to the Board of Health. 

Additionally, City Manager Edward Augustus issued an order requiring all residents ages 5 and up to wear a mask or face covering when visiting or conducting business inside a city building or attending city organized events indoors.  This order is effective Monday.

According to Augustus, the city has seen 10 consecutive week over week increases in COVID-19 cases in the city. The city is averaging 78 new cases per day. To date, there have been 26,368 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Worcester since the start of the pandemic, including 510 cases in the past week. 

"The numbers are clear and the trend is real. COVID is still with us. The delta variant is the dominant strain and it is striking us with a vengeance," Augustus said. "Unfortunately, that has forced us to make some difficult decisions."

Effective November 1, all City of Worcester employees will be required to provide proof of full vaccination or submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test every week.

"We are in a battle with an enemy that's well-equipped to inflict serious damage and already has done so," Augustus said. "And you don't go into a battle with just some of your weapons, you need all your weapons. Getting vaccinated and wearing a mask remain our best defense against this enemy.

Fifty-two percent of the city's population is fully vaccinated and 62% have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Of the vaccine-eligible population ages 12 and up, 66% are fully vaccinated.

The public will have an opportunity for input at the Board of Health meeting on on the September 27. Meanwhile, the city is continuing to encourage people to get vaccinated.

Here are the upcoming vaccine clinics in Worcester between Saturday, Sept. 18 and Thursday, Oct. 7:

  • Worcester Public Library, Main Branch, 3 Salem St., Saturday, 9/18, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • African Community Education (ACE) Festival, Elm Park Community School, 23 North Ashland St., 9/18, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Worcester Public Library, Main Branch, 3 Salem Square, Wednesday, 9/22, 11 a.m to 7 p.m.
  • Youth Vax Fall Series, Boys & Girls Club, 65 Boys & Girls Club Way, Friday, 9/24, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Worcester Public Library, Main Branch, 3 Salem Square, Saturday, 9/25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • F.A.M. JAM! Family Arts and Music Festival, Elm Park, 9/25, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Worcester Public Library, Main Branch, 3 Salem Square, Wednesday, 9/29, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Youth Vax Fall Series, YMCA, 766 Main St., Friday, 10/1, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Youth Vax Fall Series, Girls Inc., 125 Providence St., Thursday, Oct. 7, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.