“Our top priority is ensuring the safety, health, well-being of our residents and in particular those who are not able to be vaccinated yet,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “The science is clear that masks help reduce transmission and vaccines help reduce the severity of illness. Together, they are a powerful barrier to the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant. We strongly urge all of our businesses to join the City and Salem Public Schools in helping to keep Salem safe by requiring their own employees be vaccinated or, if they are not vaccinated, to provide twice weekly negative COVID tests during the next few months. We’re prepared to provide masks, vaccines, and tests to help make this possible. This is going to have to be a team effort, so we can do our part to keep Salem safe, open, and strong.”