November 6, 2020 by Carol Britton Meyer
With regard to Gov. Charlie Baker's recent updated guidance concerning face masks and a new stay-at-home advisory from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m., Police Chief David Jones explained where the Hingham Police Department stands.
"It's a stay-at-home advisory -- not a mandate -- so it doesn't impose a curfew on residents. It's not an enforceable order, so we won't be enforcing it. The language states residents 'should,' not 'shall,' remain home between those hours."
The overnight advisory does not apply to commuting to or from work, picking up takeout food, or doing essential errands such as grocery shopping and addressing health needs.
With regard to potentially enforcing the directive to wear a face mask indoors or outdoors in a public space, even when social distancing can be maintained, Jones had this to say: "The primary goal of law enforcement remains to educate citizens and to achieve voluntary compliance. If we encounter someone while we're out [who isn't abiding by the face mask directive, the advisory, or other guidance], we would educate them about the [latest guidance]. We won't be ticketing or fining them. The Board of Health is the primary agency that enforces these regulations."