WORCESTER, Mass. - An emergency order in Worcester now requires employers to report positive COVID-19 cases to the city's health department.

"I'm with the public 12 hours a day and I am not sick," said Tom Pechinis. "I don't want my employees getting sick."

Pechinis owns Jerry's Hardware and Keys in Worcester and said he is happy to see the city put something like this in place. 

"If it keeps everyone healthy and from getting the virus, let's do it," Pechinis said. "Let's get this thing behind us."

Back when the state implemented an mask mandate, Pechinis said he received a visit from the city explaining the new rules, but he hasn't heard much guidance about this one. 

"They haven't informed us. I haven't heard anything from the city," Pechinis said. "If that is what they want, that is fine. If I get an employee who has it I will be happy to call."

For people like Juan Alers who live in Worcester, the mandate came as good news. He said he's in city businesses every day and knowing there is a mandate regarding positive cases makes him feel much safer. 

"You don't want to take that chance. It is getting bad out there," Alers said. "It is spreading like wildfire. I'd rather be safe than sorry."

Worcester's medical director, Dr. Michael Hirsh, said the city needs help from businesses to contract trace because the delta variant of the virus has caused an uptick of cases in both vaccinated and unvaccinated people. 

"Contact tracing is really important," Dr. Hirsh said. "With the number of delta cases on the rise, we are going to need as much help as we can." 

What You Need To Know

  • An emergency order in Worcester requires all employers to report positive COVID-19 cases to the city's health department
  • Some local shoppers and business owners think the mandate is a great way to keep people safe
  • City health leaders said as the delta variant creates a rise in cases, contact tracing can help limit the spread
  • The order stays in effect until further notice

 

Dr. Hirsh doesn't expect a lot of problems with businesses not reporting cases and said the order is about protecting everyone in the city.

"We will give some warnings and try and give some education," Dr. Hirsh said. "This is not trying to be punitive. This is really trying to be protected."

The order will stay in place until further notice. Dr. Hirsh told Spectrum News 1 businesses can report positive cases using information he said is posted on the city's website.