First week under mask ordinance

A number of shops in Woodstock, Vermont, are posting this sign which notes a local face-covering requirement. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Most people are complying with the face-covering ordinance enacted in Woodstock, Vermont, on July 9 — and many have been grateful it's in place. That's the feedback from business owners, speaking on Wednesday about the emergency ordinance Village Trustees approved last week. The town Select Board approved a resolution for areas outside the village. 

The ordinance requires that face-coverings be worn in all municipal buildings and establishments in the village, and also at village-owned public outdoor spaces including sidewalks and public parks. Exceptions are spelled out for some situations, several of which include toddlers age 2 and younger, people with breathing issues, strenuous outdoor work, or athletic activity such as running or bicycle riding. 

Parking attendants, police, or the health inspector are tasked with enforcing the regulation, and will also have extra masks to offer to those who don’t have one. The Woodstock Welcome Center on Mechanic Street has a supply as well. The face-covering requirement will remain in place until Vermont’s state of emergency order ends, or the trustees vote to remove their ordinance, whichever happens first.

Village Trustees Chair Jeff Kahn said people have been appreciative of the new rule and, so far, enforcement has gone smoothly. Individuals without masks are usually fine with accepting one to wear, he said. Some businesses have free masks available, and the Welcome Center has given out a number of them. Small signs about the ordinance and resolution have been handed out to local businesses, and Kahn said larger metal signage is in the works for several locations around the village.

He emphasized the new measure is for everyone’s safety. 

“We certainly want people to know we're not just doing this for ourselves,” Kahn said. “We want the visitors to be safe, also.”

Most local businesses have required masks since reopening to in-person retail, and Kahn’s shop, Unicorn, is one of them. In keeping with the overall trend, he said most shoppers have been open to wearing masks, and honoring the store’s request to sanitize hands, with no issues. He recalled only one couple who “left in a huff” after refusing both. 

“We’re pretty sure they were trying to make a political statement,” Kahn said. 

Kim Smith, co-owner of 37 Central Clothiers and Red Wagon Toy Company, reported the same positive response to the mask requirement, a rule that she, too has had in place since reopening. Free masks are at her stores if people need them. Smith said not one person has refused to comply, and visitors have praised the new rule. 

“I think they're happy that we're on it for them, too, not just for us," Smith said. 

That’s also been her experience at 37 Central’s location in Hanover, New Hampshire, where many of her customers are students from the local high school and Dartmouth College.

“They've all been great about wearing masks," said Smith, who also has them for sale. "We sell kids masks like crazy, too."  

— Gareth Henderson