Resolution Relating to

RESOLUTION________

COVID-19 EMERGENCY ORDER - WEARING FACE
COVERINGS REQUIRED IN RETAIL STORES

Sponsor(s): Councilor Shannon,
Hightower, Pine, Stromberg, Hanson
Introduced: ____________________
Referred to: ____________________
______________________________
Action: ________________________
Date: __________________________
Signed by Mayor: ________________

CITY OF BURLINGTON
In the year Two Thousand Twenty …………………………………………………………………………
Resolved by the City Council of the City of Burlington, as follows:
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That

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against public mask wearing and now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other

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social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas

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of significant community-based transmission; and

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WHEREAS, on April 3, 2020 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reversed its initial guidance

WHEREAS, the City of Burlington recognized the value of widespread mask wearing in advance of
the CDC’s reversal of its position on mask wearing and eventual endorsement of mask wearing; and
WHEREAS, the City of Burlington launched a community mask making project at the beginning of
the Covid-19 pandemic in early March 2020; and
WHEREAS, as of May 8, 2020 the City has distributed more than 15,000 cloth face coverings through
more than 80 different local organizations; and
WHEREAS, the City continues to distribute free, washable, reusable cloth face coverings to any
resident who wants them through local grocery stores, markets, and organizations; and
WHEREAS, the CDC advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus
and help people who may unknowingly have the virus from transmitting it to others; and
WHEREAS, the Vermont Department of Health “recommends that all Vermonters wear cloth face
coverings when outside of the home to help slow the spread of COVID-19;” and

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WHEREAS, the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the agency the

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Governor has authorized to provide guidance on his orders, has stated in its May 13, 2020 memo, “Employees

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must wear face coverings over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others. In the case of retail

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cashiers, a translucent shield or “sneeze guard” is acceptable in lieu of a mask. Businesses and non-profit and

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government entities may require customers or clients to wear masks;” and

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WHEREAS, Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced on May 11, 2020 that retail stores may reopen
on May 18, 2020, with certain precautions; and
WHEREAS, Covid-19 remains a health hazard to residents of Burlington and a significant threat to
vulnerable populations; and

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Resolution Relating to

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COVID-19 EMERGENCY ORDER –
WEARING FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED IN RETAIL STORES

WHEREAS, the citizens of Burlington have demonstrated that they support taking all precautions to

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slow the spread of Covid-19 and their cooperation with State and CDC guidelines has been essential to

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“flattening the curve” so far, thus assuring our health care facilities have not been overwhelmed by the spread

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of this disease; and

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WHEREAS, the people of Burlington believe in taking care of our own and strive to help and protect
our neighbors and loved ones; and
WHEREAS, wearing a face covering is an important act we can do in an effort to protect others from
an infection that we may not even know we have; and
WHEREAS, Section 16 of the Vermont Emergency Management statute, 20 V.S.A. 16, authorizes the

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cities of the state to make orders, rules, and regulations that may be necessary for emergency management

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purposes so long as they are not inconsistent with any orders, rules, or regulations promulgated by the

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governor or any state agency;

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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this City Council hereby issues the following COVID19 Emergency Order re: Wearing Face Coverings Required in Retail Stores:
1. Requirement to Wear Face Covering. Starting May 18, 2020, all establishments located in the City

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of Burlington that will be open to the public for service and/or the sale of products and commodities on a retail

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basis shall require both staff and customers to wear cloth face coverings over their nose and mouth while

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inside the establishment.

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2. Covered Establishments. This Order covers retail establishments, including but not limited to

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stores selling clothing, shoes, furniture, gifts, books, and other products to the general public;
grocery stores;
hardware stores;
garden supply stores;
convenience stores.

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3. Establishments Not Covered. Establishments that are not primarily selling products to retail

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customers, such as offices, restaurants, bars, and hotels shall not be subject to this Order, but must abide by all

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state requirements for safe operation.

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4. Requirements for Cloth Face Coverings. Cloth face coverings should meet the following criteria
published by the CDC:
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fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
be secured with ties or ear loops
include multiple layers of fabric

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Resolution Relating to

COVID-19 EMERGENCY ORDER –
WEARING FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED IN RETAIL STORES

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5. Avoid Wearing Medical Masks. Unless necessary for medical reasons, non-medical professionals

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should avoid wearing medical or N-95 masks so as not to deplete the supply of those critical medical masks

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available for healthcare workers and first responders.

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allow for breathing without restriction
be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.

6. Exceptions. The CDC advises that cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children

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under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove

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the mask without assistance.

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7. Posting of Requirement. Each covered establishment must post signage at the entrance and at other

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appropriate locations stating that customers are required to wear face coverings by order of the Burlington

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City Council. The City Clerk will ensure that this Order is posted in suitable posting locations throughout the

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City, including the City website.

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8. Effective Period. This Order shall remain in effect until this Council amends, rescinds, or suspends

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this Order or the Mayor declares an end to the COVID-19 emergency in Burlington, whichever occurs first.

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lb/EBlackwood/Resolutions 2020/City Council – COVID-19 Emergency Order: Wearing Face Coverings Required in Retail Stores
5/14/20