Burlington imposes indoor mask mandate for City workers

The City of Burlington is imposing a six-week indoor masking requirement on its workers to start next week.

From Monday, City employees will be required to wear masks indoors in official workplaces.

The requirement does not extend to the general public, although masks continue to be strongly recommended in indoor settings.

"The City took these steps because of a perfect storm of prolonged challenges that are significantly impacting the City’s workforce and ability to deliver services to the community," said the City in a statement provided to BurlingtonToday. "Challenges include respiratory viruses circulating in the community, City staff are stretched thin and this current situation is not sustainable."

The statement continued: "The City has a responsibility for the health and safety of the staff that work at the City to deliver our community services. City staff will be required to wear a mask while indoors in City workplaces. Limited exemptions apply where masking is not feasible, i.e. in-water aquatic activities."

The City is also pausing Burlington-only staff meetings and gatherings, with the exception of mandatory training.

The measures are to be in place from Nov. 28, 2022 until Jan. 8, 2023.

"The City continues to deliver its services for the community and appreciates residents’ kindness to each other, and to City staff, as we all continue to navigate through this," the statement said.