Southampton Village Mayor Jesse Warren issued an executive order Thursday mandating the use of masks or other face coverings at village grocery stores and food businesses. The mandate is effective immediately.
"This executive order will protect the health and safety of our residents as well as our work force," Mr. Warren said in a statement announcing the order.
The directive, he said, is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has recommended that masks that cover both nose and mouth be worn in public places in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
Dr. Rajeev Fernando, a Southampton infectious disease expert, and Dr. Peter Michalos, the founder of the Hamptons Health Society, were quoted in the statement as being strongly in favor of the mayor's actions.
“This mirrors what was done most effectively around the globe, such as in South Korea and the Czech Republic — both countries had some of the lowest infection rates and deaths,” Dr. Michalos said.
Village residents who need a mask can get one for free by emailing [email protected], according to the statement, and directions on how to make a face covering or mask can be found on the C.D.C.'s website.