AG's Office: When they refuse to wear a mask who ya gonna call? The cops!

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: A properly masked New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu out at a grocery store last fall. Granite Staters who don't comply may get a visit from the police. (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - The state Attorney General's Office on Monday released guidance on how retail and grocery stores can better implement the governor's executive orders on mask wearing in pubic places, including calling police when someone refuses to wear a mask "without a reason."

The language offered by Associate Attorney General Anne M. Edwards states that, "If a customer refuses to wear a mask without a reason that fits within one of the exceptions in Emergency Order 74, do not have your staff engage further with the customer after the refusals. Instead call local law enforcement for assistance."

The guidance, framed as "recommendations that businesses and organizations can consider implementing" to make enforcement easier, urges businesses to discuss an action plan with police on a course of action should a customer refuse - without reason - to wear a mask.

The AG's office also urges retailers not to question a customer who says they can't wear a mask due to a medical condition, or to ask for documentation.

Other recommendations are:

Ask customers to wear masks as they enter your store

If possible, have an employee with spare masks and sanitizer at the door.

Have a sign at the door that says "Masks are required by state law or local ordinance"

If a store allows someone with no mask to enter the store and another customer complains, make an explanation such as "We have checked with with each customer about wearing a mask, and some customers are not able to do so."

If a customers disagrees with your decision to allow another customer to not wear a mask, provide them with the Attorney General's COVID Compliance phone number or email and recommend they call that number to raise concerns 603.271.1225, email EO52issues@doj.nh.gov

Have a plan in place to handle when a customer refuses to wear a mask, such as having the staff call a manger for assistance.

Meanwhile, DHHS announced 711 new positive test results for COVID-19, with a current PCR test positivity rate of 8.3%.

The newly identified cases include 85 juveniles and 69 from Strafford County.

Local case tallies show Dover at 216, Rochester at 128, Somersworth at 71, Barrington at 26, Milton at 25, Farmington at 23, Barrington at 26 and Strafford at 13.

DHHS reported no deaths related to the virus on Monday.

NH COVID-19 Summary Report

NH Persons with COVID-19 52,307

Recovered 45,320 (87%)

Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 869 (2%)

Total Current COVID-19 Cases 6,118

Current Hospitalizations 267