Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed an order that will require all residents to wear face coverings in public.
The order, which was signed Friday, is set to go into effect on May 6. The rule applies to all workers and customers at businesses across the state, according to NBC Boston. The order will not apply to children under the age of 2 or those with health conditions that make wearing a mask not possible.
“I think we all believe that as part of the strategy around some sort of reopening, people are going to need a mask or a face covering if they’re going to be close to people. You can’t always stay 6 feet away,” Baker, a Republican, said on Friday.
“This is going to be a way of life,” Baker continued. “No ifs, no ands, no buts, no doubts.”
As of Friday, Massachusetts has the third most infections of any state, with more than 62,200 cases and at least 3,562 deaths, according to a count by the New York Times. Baker said the state has seen slight decreases in coronavirus hospitalizations, and as of Thursday, only 6% of cases required hospitalization.
“While there are still hundreds in need, this number has not gone up,” Baker said Friday. “Overall, this is a very good sign.”
Other states that have already mandated coronavirus face coverings include Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Overall, the United States has had more than 1 million infections and is approaching 65,000 deaths.
