James Bairaktaris 11/4/21 James Bairaktaris 11/4/21

Staples Players Prepare for Grease

From the Staples Players

Staples Players is hard at work preparing to present GREASE to audiences in less than two weeks! Over a hundred Staples High School students are putting final details on all aspects of the production - designing lights, building sets, finalizing costumes and discovering the hair and makeup styles of 1959. Here is a look behind the curtain in the Staples auditorium - take a special backstage look at what it takes to put on a show!

Tickets are available to all six performances at staplesplayers.com. Tickets available are primarily balcony seats, which are a fantastic view of this large dance show! Performances are November 12, 13, 19 , 20 at 7:30 PM and November 14 and 20 at 3:00 PM. All audience members must show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test from the past 72 hours. Unvaccinated children under 12 may be tested prior to the show, with an at home test or proof of test from a lab. Masks must be worn at all times indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

James Bairaktaris 11/4/21 James Bairaktaris 11/4/21

Westport Lifts Mask Mandate “Effective Immediately”

`Westport’s First Selectman Jim Marpe lifted the Town’s mask mandates today. File photo from June 2021.`

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe

Over the past few weeks, the daily rate of COVID-19 cases in Westport has been trending downward and the Town continues to be in the “gray” category (less than 5 cases/100,000). Therefore, in collaboration with Westport’s COVID-19 Emergency Management Team, as First Selectman, I am hereby rescinding Executive Orders #9 and #10 and lifting the mask mandate in indoor public settings in Westport, effective immediately.

This is certainly an optimistic trend - one that we have been anxious to announce. But we continue to be aware of the potential of stronger strains and breakthrough cases that could impact future recommendations. Those who are eligible are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated and/or receive a booster.

Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) Director of Health Mark Cooper stated, “We are in support of this action for those in the lower risk category for severe COVID illness and who have been vaccinated, so long as the local transmission rate remains low. If everyone proceeds with caution and some common sense, we may be able to enjoy the coming holiday season with family and friends in a more traditional manner. For those in a higher risk category for severe COVID illness, masking is still highly recommended because, although the transmission rate is low, the COVID virus is still in the community.”

According to the CT Department of Public Health (CT DPH):

Outdoors
- Masks are not required to be worn by anyone.
Indoors:
- Vaccinated individuals are generally not required to wear masks.
- Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks.
- Masks will still be required in healthcare facilities, facilities serving vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools (public and non-public, when students are present), and childcare facilities.
- Some businesses, state and local government offices, performance spaces, and certain events, may still require universal masking.

Your cooperation, patience and understanding is appreciated when visiting Westport establishments and locations where mask requirements remain in effect or where some may choose to maintain a full mask policy for the health and safety of their staff and customers.

The Emergency Management Team will continue its oversight of the pandemic and the effects it may have on the health and safety of all Westport residents, businesses and visitors.

Additional information is available on the WWHD website www.WWHD.org and the Town of Westport website www.westportct.gov/covid1