City Council Gives Mask Guidance

Face Coverings Are Required Within City-Owned and Operated Buildings Within The City of South Burlington

The City Council last night voted on a resolution to require the use of face coverings in City-owned and operated buildings. Currently, City Hall & the Public Library at 180 Market Street is open to the public, and masks are now required to enter the building (beginning on Wednesday, Dec 8 at 7:30 am). Our other buildings are currently closed to the public, including Public Works, the Police Station, and Fire Stations.   Read the full resolution below.

There was also extensive conversation about the use of face coverings/masks in local businesses and in the community. The Council has left the decision to individual business owners. There was discussion about the need for continued community awareness about the importance of mask-wearing in being effective against the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants.  We are providing signage that businesses and organizations can use to help provide awareness at their locations.

Face Masks Encouraged - 8.5 X 11 - SoBu City HallFace Masks Required - Dec 2021 Businesses
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Resolution and Rule Regarding Use of Face Coverings Within City Owned Buildings Within The City of South Burlington
Download the document.

 

WHEREAS, on November 23, 2021, the Vermont Legislature enacted, and the Governor signed, Act 1 (S.1) relating to temporary municipal rules in response to Covid-19; and

WHEREAS, the City Council desires to enact and encourage measures that promote the public health, safety, and welfare of its residents to further the goal of slowing the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with the authority granted under Act 1, the City Council desires to adopt a temporary rule requiring the use of face coverings within City owned buildings that are open to the public within the City of South Burlington.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the South Burlington City Council hereby adopts a Rule, requiring all individuals in the City of South Burlington to wear a face covering that covers at least their mouth and nose within City owned buildings in the City of South Burlington that are open to the public. 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that face coverings are not required for children under two (2) years of age; a person with a disability who cannot wear a face covering or cannot safely wear a face covering for reasons related to their disability; a person for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to workplace health, safety, or job duty as determined by the workplace risk assessment; or any person while eating or drinking inside a City owned building that is open to the public. 

This Rule is in addition to all other ordinances and rules of the City of South Burlington and all applicable laws of the State of Vermont.  All ordinances, rules, or parts of ordinances, rules, resolutions, regulations, or other documents inconsistent with the provisions of this Rule are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency.

If any section or provision of this Rule is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such finding shall not invalidate any other part of this Rule.

This Rule shall take effect at 7:30 am on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 and shall remain in effect for a period not to exceed 45 days following its initial adoption. The City Council shall meet during the 45-day period in which this initial Rule is in effect and vote either to rescind this Rule or to extend it for an additional 30 days. Thereafter, the City Council shall meet at a minimum once every 30 days to reconsider this Rule, at which meeting the City Council shall vote either to rescind this Rule or to extend it for an additional 30-day period. The filing of a petition under 24 V.S.A. §§ 1972 and 1973, shall not govern the taking effect of this Rule.