Council talks face masks, HR audit and diversity training

With fall appearing to deliver on the predicted increase in COVID-19 cases, city officials are emphasizing the need for continued safety measures.

Since the pandemic struck in early 2020, health officials, city officials and state government have established gathering restrictions and emphasized the need for precautions including social distancing and wearing face masks.

To help spread that message, the city has utilized social media, street level signage and other signs in English, Spanish, Khmer and Portuguese advising community members of the state’s face mask requirement. Those signs were available for display in store fronts and other public spaces.

According to a debrief from City Manager Eileen Donoghue to the City Council, local business owners reported that the signs were effective.

The city has also enforced industry specific guidelines related to COVID-19 mitigation through inspections, citations and fines, Donoghue’s brief read.

The update was delivered at the request of Councilor Vesna Nuon who observed at a previous meeting that fewer people are wearing masks or are wearing them improperly, such as only covering their mouths and not their noses.

“I don’t know what else we can do to suggest to people how important it is to wear a mask,” Councilor Bill Samaras said. “I think people are getting tired, but we know the numbers have increased.”

Referencing Lowell’s recent “high risk” designation, Councilor Sokhary Chau called the situation