Where And When Do You Wear A Mask In New Berlin Right Now?

NEW BERLIN, WI — Milwaukee and Racine have shed or will shed their mask requirements since the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention changed its guidelines two weeks ago. Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask unless required by local rules, according to the federal agency.

The City of New Berlin has not legislated a mask mandate to stop the spread of COVID-19 since the pandemic first started. Wearing masks inside city buildings or for city employees isn't a requirement either, but Mayor Dave Ament said that employees should check in when meeting with the public.

"If you're meeting with somebody and they request that you wear a mask, carry your mask with you and put it on, out of respect," Ament said. "If you're an electrical inspector and going into somebody's home, check with them and make sure if they want you to put a mask on."

The New Berlin School Board voted to eliminate mask requirements on May 14. Elmbrook School District announced it would make masks optional on May 18. Masks are required inside the New Berlin Public Library for patrons and staff, according to the library website.

Healthcare settings, because they deal directly with COVID-19 patients, still require visitors and staff to wear face masks inside their facilities.

• Froedtert Moorland Reserve Health Center requires everyone to wear a face covering in its facilities, according to the health center website.
• Aurora Health Center requires masks for everyone on all sites, regardless of vaccination status, according to a spokesperson.

Ament said that police and fire services were left to come up with their own mask requirement when the pandemic started, and that the city has never imposed a mandate on any businesses. However, businesses can write their own masking policies for visitors and employees.

Major retail stores have allowed fully vaccinated customers to shop in their stores nationwide. 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

Wisconsin has no active statewide mandate for wearing a face covering to stop the spread of COVID-19.