Concord, NH - Official Website

▼
Face Coverings Ordinance

1. When did the face coverings ordinance go into effect?: The ordinance went into effect on August 31, 2020.

2. When will the face coverings ordinance expire?: This ordinance shall continue in effect until January 2, 2021 unless otherwise repealed or extended.

3. Why is this ordinance necessary?: The Concord City Council has determined that to continue to reduce the spread and infection of COVID-19, it is in the interest of the health and safety of all Concord citizens, residents, visitors, businesses, and the employees of our City and businesses, to wear face coverings when entering and exiting, and while inside a retail establishment.

4. Where does the ordinance require face coverings to be worn?: This ordinance requires customers to wear a face covering inside retail establishments. By way of example, “retail” includes but is not limited to buildings or structures or a portion thereof, for the display and sale of commodities such as department stores, drug stores, convenience markets, retail or wholesale stores, grocery stores, home improvement stores, where such commodities are available for immediate purchase and removal from the premises. It does not include businesses that have incidental retail sales directly related to the services rendered by the business such as cosmetology, barbering and health and fitness facilities, unless the sector-specific guidance issued by the Governor’s Economic Reopening Taskforce for that industry require compliance with the “retail” guidance. In addition, to avoid any uncertainty or doubt, it, this ordinance shall not apply to the food service industry (restaurants) or places of worship which are subject to the Governor’s emergency orders.

5. Are employees of “retail establishments” required to wear face coverings?: The Governor’s emergency orders require employees of “retail establishments” to wear a face covering when in the retail facility and in public locations or shared staff areas (e.g. break rooms), even if other individuals are not immediately present. Please refer to the Governor’s Economic Reopening Taskforce COVID-19 Reopening Guidance for “Retail Establishments” for further information about this rule.

6. Am I required to wear a face covering in businesses other than “retail establishments?”: The City of Concord’s ordinance only regulates the wearing of face coverings by customers in retail establishments. However, you may be required to wear a face covering in other types of business under the Governor’s emergency orders. The Governor has allowed a variety of industries to reopen under certain conditions that must be met in order for businesses in those sectors to open. Some of the business sectors require employees and customers/clients to wear face coverings under certain conditions. Please refer to New Hampshire’s Stay at Home 2.0 Plan for information about the regulations for businesses and recreational/tourism sectors.

7. How will this ordinance be enforced?: Education will be the first step in enforcement. We will work to educate members of the public who violate the ordinance. Failure to comply with the ordinance can result in the following penalties: 1st offense - a written warning, 2nd offense and subsequent offense - a $15 fine. The failure to pay the penalty within ten (10) days shall result in the fine doubling. The failure to pay the penalty within twenty (20) business days shall result in an additional fee or four times the original fee. Failure to pay the penalty fee after twenty (20) business days may also result in the issuance of a summons to appear in court to answer to the charge of violating the ordinance.

8. What defines a mask/face covering?: “Face covering” is defined as a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes, that covers at least the nose, mouth, and surrounding areas of the lower face. A face covering may be factory made, homemade, or improvised from ordinary household material.

9. Do I need to wear a mask if I am outside?: No. Members of the public utilizing the City trails, sidewalks and other pedestrian public ways, or public recreational lands, are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings when a physical distance of six feet cannot be maintained from other individuals, but not required.

10. Do children have to wear masks?: The ordinance requires children five years of age and older to wear face coverings. Face coverings are not recommended for children less than 2 years of age.

11. Who is exempt from wearing a mask?: The ordinance does not require children less than five years of age to wear face coverings. Face coverings are not recommended for children less than 2 years of age. A face covering is not required to be worn by any person for which doing so may pose a risk for health-related reasons. However, in these cases, special effort should be taken to maintain physical distance of at least six feet from other individuals.

12. Do I need to wear a mask when utilizing public transportation?: That is not required per this ordinance. Please refer to the Concord Coach Lines and Concord Area Transit (CAT) for their own policies on face coverings.

13. Do I need to wear a face covering or mask in a restaurant or bar?: Under the Governor’s Economic Reopening Taskforce guidelines for restaurants, customers should be asked to wear face coverings when entering and exiting a facility to protect other patrons and employees during the seating and exiting process, or when getting up to use the restroom. Face coverings are not necessary while a customers are seated and dining outdoors.

14. How do I properly wear a mask or face covering?: For information on how to properly wear a mask or face covering, please review the CDC’s How to wear cloth face coverings page.

15. How do masks prevent the spread of COVID-19?: For information on how masks prevent the spread of COVID-19, please review the CDC’s About Masks section.

16. If I wear a mask, do I still have to social distance?: Yes, social distancing should always be practiced whenever possible.

17. I am a store owner in Concord. How do I notify customers of this ordinance?: Information is posted on the City’s website at www.concordnh.gov/coronavirus, along with printable posters letting customers know the ordinance is in effect.

18. What if someone refuses to wear a mask at my business and refuses to leave after being denied service?: Call the Concord Police Department: (603) 225-8600.