COVID-19 Mask-Free Protocol
Friends and Citizens of Gray,
As we continue to move toward a sense of post-vaccine normalcy, we wanted to give you an update regarding our COVID-19 guidelines.
Recently the Town Manager’s office established local protocols for COVID-19 public health and safety that extended the requirement for visitors to wear masks and observe safe distancing whenever indoors in Town facilities beyond May 24, 2021. The rationale for this extension was that the Maine CDC data showed that more than 2,000 Gray residents, or over 25% of the population, had not achieved full vaccination, and that we needed to remain COVID-free to ensure that our local election could be held safely on Tuesday, June 8.
According to most recent data, 77% of Gray’s community has been vaccinated, so we will adopt a mask-free policy starting June 9, 2021 for all Town facilities, unless there are other Federal, State, or school requirements, or professional standards and protocols that supersede Town jurisdiction.
In accordance with the latest CDC and state guidelines, all COVID-19 vaccinated visitors and staff are not required to wear a mask while in any Town facilities and we ask that any unvaccinated visitors and staff continue to wear a mask. Additionally, we are asking all staff to keep a mask handy for any of our visitors who request we wear one. We want all of our visitors to feel welcome and comfortable, and all staff and visitors will be welcomed and encouraged to wear a mask at any time they feel a potential risk of COVID exposure.
Furthermore, the Town will resume in-person meetings at the Town Council Chamber or in a Gray Public Library conference room starting in July, and all Town-sanctioned committee and board meetings will be simulcast via Zoom and/or GCTV.
Election officials will wear masks at the polling place on June 8, and voters are strongly encouraged to wear masks when they come to vote. Vaccines are available at multiple locations in and around Gray, including on-demand vaccinations at Walgreens.
We want to thank you all for your patience, support, and understanding as we navigated the pandemic together over the past year. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping Gray safe and healthy.
Nate Rudy, Town Manager