Concord, NH — With rising cases, substantial statewide community transmission, and an increase in hospitalizations, today Governor Chris Sununu signed an Emergency Order instituting a statewide mask mandate in New Hampshire, as cases rose to 529 — the state’s highest total to date. The mask mandate takes effect at 12:01 AM on Friday, November 20, 2020, and will remain in effect through January 15, 2021. 
 
“With rising cases,  substantial statewide community transmission, and an increase in hospitalizations – the data supports enacting a statewide mask mandate,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “Instituting this commonsense mask mandate today will allow us to keep our economy open and help ensure our health care system has the capacity and workforce it needs in the coming weeks. By wearing a mask, Granite Staters can keep our friends, family, neighbors, and critical workforce members and those they care for safe – without shutting down the economy.”

Beginning on November 20, 2020, all persons over the age of 5 within the State of New Hampshire shall wear mask or cloth face coverings over their noses and mouths any time they are in public spaces, indoors or outdoors, where they are unable to or do not consistently maintain a physical distance of at least six feet from persons outside their own households.

For purposes of this Order, the term “public spaces” includes any part of private or public property that is generally open or accessible to members of the general public.  Public spaces include, but are not limited to, lobbies, waiting areas, outside plazas or patios, restaurants, retail businesses, streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, elevators, restrooms, stairways, parking garages, etc.

Note: A copy of the Executive Order can be found here. 

On Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at approximately 2:30pm an off duty Conway Police Department Officer observed Christopher Burnell, 37 years old, Chatham, NH in the drive-thru at a local restaurant in North Conway.  Christopher Burnell was known to have an open felony arrest warrant in the State of New Hampshire for Felon in Possession of a Dangerous Weapon as defined by NH RSA 159:3. After leaving the drive-thru, Christopher Burnell was observed entering a local hotel.  Conway Police Department officers responded to the hotel and located Christopher Burnell in a first floor room which had been rented by a female friend.  When officers approached the door of the room, Christopher Burnell retreated to the bathroom inside the room, locked the door and refused to come out for the officers after being repeatedly informed that there was an open warrant for his arrest.  The room was secured by several Conway Police Department officers.  After approximately 25 minutes of communication through the bathroom door, Christopher Burnell opened the door and officers were able to take him into custody without further incident.  Christopher Burnell was transported to Memorial Hospital by North Conway Ambulance for evaluation as it appeared that he was under the influence of drugs.  A search warrant was executed on the room where Christopher Burnell was located.  Approximately 115 grams of what is believed to be heroin/fentanyl and a large amount of drug paraphernalia was seized from the room.

Christopher Burnell was released from the hospital later that evening and transported to the Carroll County House of Corrections on the open warrant for his arrest.  The Conway Police Department will be adding the additional charges of Possession of Controlled/Narcotic Drugs with the intent to Distribute as defined by NH RSA 318-B:2, Falsifying Physical Evidence as defined by NH RSA 641:6 and Resisting Arrest or Detention as defined by NH RSA 642:2.

Christopher Burnell has a lengthy criminal history to include several arrests for possession of controlled drugs.

Christopher Burnell is scheduled to appear before the Ossipee Superior Court on Thursday afternoon for a bail hearing.

Christopher Mattei

Chief of Police

Christopher Burnell, 37, of Chatham, NH (Picture Courtesy of Conway Police Department)