Photo: Suzanne Sausville / WBZ
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) –The Salem Board of Health has approved a new Covid-19 restriction for October when people come to the city to celebrate Halloween.
Salem already has an indoor mask mandate but starting October 1, anyone attending an indoor event with more than 100 people must show a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours.
Mayor Kim Driscoll said even with a mask mandate, this will provide extra security.
“If you’re eating and drinking masks are off, you’re mingling with a whole lot of people" she said. "We just feel like this is a really smart way to make sure if you’re inside you’ve been tested part of gaining entry.”
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Salem resident Kate agreed and said the city had few options.
“It’s unfortunate that it has to happen that way, but I think if this is one of the things that keeps people safe.”
The city plans on setting up rapid Covid testing centers in the downtown area where people could get results in 15 minutes.
WBZ’s Suzanne Sausville (@wbzSausville) has more:
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