Mask Up Or Mask Off? Fairfield Retailers Talk Masking Changes

FAIRFIELD, CT — As of Wednesday, people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus are no longer required by the state to wear a face mask inside Connecticut retailers. But some businesses in Fairfield are taking it slow, and continuing to recommend customers mask up before stopping in.

“We just want to be cautious,” said Kendra Wingate, manager of the BD Provisions store in Fairfield.

The retailer is encouraging shoppers to wear a mask and will continue to offer hand sanitizer and gloves. As of mid-day Wednesday, Wingate said only one customer had questioned whether to put on a mask before entering.

“We’re excited to move forward in a healthy way,” she said.

Statewide, masks will still be required in certain settings such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and child care. Businesses, and state and local government offices may choose to require that masks be worn.

For certain Fairfield stores, the circumstances of the employees or patrons shaped masking policies. Woofgang & Co. is a nonprofit pet retailer that provides job training for young adults with disabilities. Its workers are potentially immunocompromised, so, for the rest of the month, the staff will continue to wear masks.

“Basically, we’re being a little bit extra hyper sensitive through the end of May,” manager Kelly Maffei said, adding that as of Wednesday, shoppers had continued to mask up as well.

For Black Rock Pharmacy, masks are required for workers and recommended for customers because many people who visit the business are ill or medically vulnerable, according to owner Ken Lee.

At Greenfield Hill Wines & Spirits, owner Mike Sussman is following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by allowing customers to shop without a mask, and trusting those who go mask-less are vaccinated. The store is also following social distancing guidelines. As of Wednesday afternoon, Sussman had seen a mix of masked and unmasked customers.

“All of the above are fine with us,” he said.

Patch readers had varying opinions about masking when asked Wednesday. Several said in response to a Patch neighbor post that they planned to seek out businesses where they were allowed to go mask-free.

Others answered the post and a callout on Patch’s Facebook page by saying they would keep wearing a mask for a variety of reasons. Readers cited a lack of trust that unvaccinated customers would mask up, a desire to be courteous to fellow shoppers and caution because the vaccine is not 100-percent effective.