WESTPORT — The indoor mask mandate, imposed locally in August as the Delta variant of COVID-19 surged, is being lifted immediately as town officials report an “optimistic trend” of declining cases.

First Selectman Jim Marpe, announcing Thursday that he rescinded the executive orders he issued to impose the mask mandate, said the decisive factor is the falling number of COVID cases reported locally.

The recent average of cases reported daily in Westport is less than five per 100,000 people, according to the state Department of Public Health. The data puts the town in state health officials’ “gray” category, the classification for communities with the lowest rates of COVID transmission.

That low-transmission status currently is shared by neighboring Weston, Wilton and Easton, while both Fairfield and Norwalk are in the next-highest “yellow” classification of 5 to 9 cases per 100,000.

The state’s general health guidelines say that while vaccinated people do not have to wear masks indoors, those who are unvaccinated still must wear them. Gov. Ned Lamont during the summer delegated authority to local officials to impose stricter mandates, which is the power Marpe exercised to issue his local mask requirements.

In lifting the indoor mask mandate, Marpe urged people to continue to take precautions against the virus — by getting vaccinated — while warning that it could spike again.

“This is certainly an optimistic trend, one that we have been anxious to announce,” the first selectman said.

“But we continue to be aware of the potential of stronger strains and break-through cases that could impact future recommendations. Those who are eligible are strongly encouraged to get fully vaccinated and/or receive a booster,” he said.

Officials noted, however, that some local businesses and other public places may choose to continue mask-wearing requirements for visitors or employees, and urged people to cooperate with those establishment’s health and safety policies.

Marpe, in early August, initially imposed a mandate that required everyone entering all municipal buildings to wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status.

About two weeks later, as COVID transmission rates surged, Marpe extended the mask mandate to all indoor public places, such as restaurants, gyms and stores. About a week after that, however, he exempted gyms and other fitness facilities, allowing people to exercise without wearing a mask.

Mark Cooper, director of the Westport-Weston Health District, agreed with Thursday’s decision to end the indoor mask mandate, but also urged caution.

“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,” Cooper added.

For those at greater risk for COVID infection, Cooper said wearing masks remains “highly recommended because, although the transmission rate is low, the COVID virus is still in the community.”

• More information about COVID-19 data and resources in Westport is available here from the Westport-Weston Health District, and from town government by clicking here.

• The latest state Department of Public Health information on COVID-19 can be found here.