In an August 6, 2021 Memo to Town Department Heads, Town Manager Matthew Sturgis announced that effective Monday, August 9, masks will be required in all Town buildings for staff, visitors, and customers conducting business in Town buildings. This requirement will be reviewed each Friday and will reflect the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.
The decision follows an August 4 Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announcement which states that a number of counties in Maine are considered as substantial or high-risk for the Delta variant for COVID-19; As part of this designation, mask wearing is strongly recommended when indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. This is due to the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant and the potential for breakthrough infections.
Sturgis reported that, “Cape Elizabeth is currently in excess of 95 percent vaccinated, and Town staff is similarly vaccinated. However, there is a concern on exposure and potential breakthrough infections for Town staff and visitors to Town buildings.