Masks mandated inside Mat-Su Borough buildings

MAT-SU — Acting Mat-Su Borough Manager George Hays issued COVID-19 Directive 10 on Friday mandating that masks be worn in all Mat-Su Borough facilities indoors with listed exceptions.

On Nov. 3, Directive 9 mandated masks be worn by all Borough staff. Directive 10 also requires members of the public visiting Borough facilities to social distance to six feet apart where possible, wash hands or use hand sanitizer and says that people that have tested positive for COVID-19 may not enter the buildings.

“As stated in Mat-Su Borough Directive 9 from Nov 3, all employees must wear masks in MSB facilities and it is reasonable and therefore now required that all public, with exceptions listed below, wear masks while in borough buildings to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” wrote Hays.

Mat-Su Borough public facilities include Libraries in nearly every community, fire stations, the animal shelter and landfill, Borough gym, Brett Ice Arena, Dorothy Swanda Jones building, Palmer and Wasilla pools and the Government Peak Recreation Area chalet.

The exceptions listed for mask usage inside of borough facilities includes at times when “not moving and you are more than six feet away from all other persons” and persons with “medical or mental health condition making wearing a face covering contrary to your health or safety.”