Where Do You Need A Mask In Brookfield Right Now?

BROOKFIELD, WI — Milwaukee, Racine and Wauwatosa either have peeled back or will peel back mask rules for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in public spaces. These changes have been made since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its guidelines late last week.

According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state or local laws. The CDC defines "fully vaccinated" as two weeks after a second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or after a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Brookfield does not have an active citywide mask mandate nor does the state of Wisconsin have an active mask mandate to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Earlier this week, Elmbrook Schools District said it would no longer require face coverings in its schools except on buses and for athletic travel.

However, some places still require face coverings to be worn inside. Brookfield Square still requires masks for mall staff, retailers, vendors and customers on its property, according to the mall website. According to city ordinance, people who visit city owned buildings like City Hall or the Public Safety Building must wear a mask regardless of their vaccination status.

Some exceptions are made; masks aren't required to enter the conference building and city employees only have to wear masks while meeting members of the public, not each other. Children under 3 years old do not have to wear masks and neither do people with certain medical conditions that would prevent them from wearing one.

The ordinance was set to expire on May 1, 2021 but was extended to June 30 before the month started.

Mayor Steve Ponto said that the extension to the ordinance was meant to give city workers a chance to get vaccinated if they wanted to before the mask ordinance expired. He also said that the city did not have a mask mandate since the municipality relies on the Waukesha County Health Department, which has not issued any mask requirements.

"We're trying to make a reasonable situation for city employees now that vaccinations are available," Ponto said. "If people want to get vaccinated, they can. We're giving them that chance before the ordinance expires."

Major retailers have dropped masking rules for customers and staff that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Here's a list of chain stores that have dropped mask rules:

• Target
• CVS
• Walmart
• Pick 'N Save
• Starbucks
• Home Depot
• Trader Joe's
• Costco
• Walgreens
• Aldi