CHICOPEE, MA – December 22, 2021 – The City of Chicopee will be requiring masks regardless of vaccination status in all municipal building effective Thursday, December 23, 2021. Employees will be mandated to wear a mask in common spaces and when not in their personal work space. Patrons in city buildings must wear a mask upon entry and will be provided with a mask if they do not have one.

It is our goal to keep all of Chicopee safe and healthy; a layered prevention strategy with masks and vaccines is our best option to reduce the toll of this very contagious virus and its variants.  At this time, breakthrough infections are rare, but still account for a portion of the data collected by the city. Vaccines are still the foremost defense against the Covid-19 virus and its symptoms. There will be many opportunities announced by city officials to get vaccinated, as well as testing center locations and dates.

As a reminder, masks must cover the mouth and nose when worn correctly.         

The following persons are exempt from face covering requirements:

•         Children under 5 years old

•         Persons for whom a face mask or covering creates a health risk or is not safe because of any of the following conditions or circumstances

•         A face mask or covering affects the person’s ability to breathe safely

•         The person has a mental health or other medical diagnosis that advises against wearing a mask or covering

•         The person has a disability that prevents them from wearing a face mask or covering or

•         The person depends on supplemental oxygen to breathe

                At this time, the City is not mandating masks in privately owned spaces that have the freedom to choose their own policy. The CDC does recommend that face coverings be worn in indoor spaces experiencing substantial or high rates of transmission.

                Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.

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PDF of the Mask Mandate Press Release