WESTPORT — Effective Monday, April 20, the Westport Board of Health is requiring the use of simple cloth face coverings to reduce risk of the spread of coronavirus when entering or working in public facilities such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores. 

This also includes restaurants when picking up take-out, and common areas of residential or commercial complexes with multiple units. Employees of all essential businesses, as defined by governor’s executive order, are also directed to wear a face covering when interacting with the public or within six feet of a co-worker. 

The purpose is to slow the spread of the  virus and to protect the health of the wearer and others, the BOH said in a press release after Friday’s vote.

“It has been documented that transmission of the virus can easily occur before someone is symptomatic and also many people unknowingly carry the virus without ever becoming ill,” the BOH said. “The virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity — for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. Thus, face coverings in public settings will help reduce the risk of spreading the virus to other people.”

Westport had seen a total of 14 confirmed cases of coronavirus as of Monday morning.

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