WESTPORT — Some people were surprised to learn that yesterday First Selectman Jim Marpe, without public notice, made an exception to the mask mandate he put in place recently, which had required that all people in indoor public settings wear masks.

Fitness businesses, including the Westport-Weston Family Y, are now being allowed to have people inside without masks, to work out.

“We question the current administration’s decision to ignore CDC guidance by making masks in gyms and fitness settings optional,” said a statement from Democratic first selectman candidate Jonathan Steinberg, Westport’s current state representative, his running mate Candice Savin, the current Board of Education chair, and Democratic school board candidates Kevin Christie, Jr., and Christina Torres.

Marpe issued a statement Friday night which said, “The communities around us have been allowing gyms, indoor tennis centers, workout studios and training centers to allow indoor workouts, training and non-contact sports to proceed without masks,” he said.

“As a result,” he said, “based on consultation with Mark Cooper, Director of the Westport Weston Health District and other members of our emergency management team, we elected this week to modify our indoor masking requirements in gyms, indoor training and fitness centers to align with our neighboring communities.”

Republican first selectperson candidate Jennifer Tooker did not respond to requests for comment Friday evening.

Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice reported today that there were three cases of COVID-19 in the school district, one at Coleytown Middle School, one at Greens Farms School, and one at Saugatuck Elementary School.

Contacted for details and clarifications earlier in the day, Scarice did not respond.

The Y confirmed that, while people are required to arrive wearing masks and wear them in the hallways, they are allowed to take them off to do cardio or weight exercises, provided they are six feet apart.

While some fitness businesses have reached out to their clients to share this new information, no public announcement was issued through Marpe’s office.

“We imagined a different fall,” the candidate statement continued, “one with fewer if any restrictions.”

“But right now, CDC guidance is for everyone in areas experiencing high transmission to wear masks indoors.”

“If one of our highest priorities — in this first week of school — is ensuring that our schools remain open safely, it’s only prudent to continue wearing masks in every indoor setting,” the statement continued. “It’s disappointing but necessary.”

“We can re-evaluate in two weeks as the situation evolves,” the statement said.

Last month Gov. Ned Lamont offered municipalities their own chance to add additional mask restrictions. Marpe, in turn, ultimately issued an across-the-board requirement that all public indoor places have mask requirements.

“The Westport COVID emergency response team continues to meet weekly to review the status of the pandemic in our community and will adjust masking and other restrictions as conditions and the data indicate that changes are appropriate,” Marpe said.