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Masks Mandated on Nantucket, Board Holds Off on Occupancy Regulations

Nantucket
Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikipedia
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CC BY-SA 2.5
Nantucket

The Nantucket health board issued a mask mandate Thursday, requiring masks inside all public places.

The new rules come as the island sees a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Health officials on the island anticipate 40 cases a day for the next week, judging by wastewater data.

Now, bar and nightclub patrons can take off their masks inside only when seated. The board did make an exception for performers, if they can maintain six feet of distance from the public.

The board also considered a 75 percent occupancy limit for businesses, but decided to revisit that issue next week. Board members wanted to target businesses that attract large gatherings.

Health director Roberto Santamaria said that they may not need to restrict businesses at this point.

"We know masks work," Santamaria said. "So masks are probably the single biggest move. We probably don't move to occupancy restrictions yet."

But some health board members wanted to enact stricter rules sooner than later.

"We have to remember this is August, and people are saying there are 70,000 people on the island," said board member Malcolm McNabb. "The board stating that there's an occupancy cap, is sending the right message."

Not everyone supported the new mask mandate Thursday, including Nikole Tara who spoke during public comment.

"I caution this board trying to mandate their way out of a pandemic," Tara said. "I don't think it's our job as a society or as a community to protect the unvaccinated."

Nantucket health officials argued that children are still unvaccinated, as well as individuals who may be at risk of taking the vaccine. They also argued that slowing the virus down was essential, and that masks will make a significant difference.

The mask mandate will be in place until the board decides to lift it.

Sam Houghton left CAI in February, 2023, to become News Editor at the Martha's Vineyard Times.
He worked at CAI since the summer of 2017. Before that, he worked at the Falmouth Enterprise, where he covered local politics.