Abby Patkin is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. As of Thursday, businesses in those communities are no longer required to enforce face covering regulations. Board Chair Dr. David Moore said a dramatic increase in the citys COVID-19 cases last week prompted action. "It's a little awkward, and I worry that I'll lose customers when I say, 'Hey, we have a mask mandate.' Cities and towns across Massachusetts are beginning to reimplement mask mandates for vaccinated and unvaccinated people, after rising cases led the CDC to issue new guidance recommending masks indoors in most parts of the state. Others only require masks in public buildings. A lock icon ( Knowing which town or city has or hasn't ditched the mask rule may be confusing, which is why Hannah Ritchie, who works in Lowell, will keep the mask on. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. In many cases, the requirement is limited to municipal buildings. Mask mandates return to college campuses as COVID-19 flares. The omicron variant is coming to an end, well wait to see whats on the horizon," Lowells Health Director Lisa Golden said. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. (Interestingly, Brooklines vax mandate applies to restaurants outdoor patios, while Bostons does not). If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Other cities in recent days have been weighing whether to join them. And what about vaccine requirements elsewhere? I may be swimming upstream against a strong public current, but Im OK with that. Schutt said that while the pandemic is ending, the war against the virus has no end in sight. Only staff and vendors must wear masks at the following sites: adult day health programs, dental offices, speech, occupational and physical therapy settings and other freestanding medical/clinical settings that do not primarily care for patients with acute illness or immunocompromised patients. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. On transportation provided by the Commonwealths Human Service Transportation (HST) Brokerage system. Worcester earlier this month voted to rescind its indoor mask mandate, which takes effect on February 18. Consider wearing a mask especially if you have a weakened immune system, if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system or is at increased risk for severe disease. "I like not having to remind people, so that's nice," she said. Boston: Masks mandatory in all indoor public places, Brookline: Face masks required in all indoor spaces, including businesses, restaurants, clubs, places of assembly, municipal buildings and other locations open to the general public, Cambridge:Masks required in all indoor public spaces for everyone over 2 years old, Canton: Masks required in indoor public spaces when community transmission level is substantial or high, Carlisle: Face masks must be worn indoors in public spaces, Lexington: Masks required for people ages two and older at indoor businesses, houses of worship, and private spaces. With infection and hospitalization numberscoming down, are we finally turning a corner in the pandemic? February 28, 2022. A lack of competition invites a focus on internal politics over the public good. The State House, closed to the public for nearly two years, is finally reopening on February 22. Vaccine Tracking And COVID Case Counts, Masks Will Be Required In Massachusetts Schools Through At Least Oct. 1, Janey Orders Indoor Mask Mandate For Boston And Its Schools To Mitigate Delta Variant's Spread, Massachusetts Cities And Towns Debate Mask Mandates, Vaccine Requirements. Updated: Aug. 13, 2021, 8:56 a.m. | In skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities licensed or operated by the Commonwealth: masks are required for staff and visitors. We couldn't do it without you. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Gov. Baker has 'no plans' to bring back mandate - WCVB Its not as though I dont have COVID fatigue, like millions of other Americans. Until we get down to low levels of transmission, I think mask use is one of the last measures to be removed," Hamer said. Kids ages 5-11 will need to have at least one dose by March 1, and two doses by May 1. But while the state mandate will end soon, some school districts may continue to require masks for now. Some local communities missing from this list may not have provided explicit mask guidance. Massachusetts on Tuesday loosened its mask guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, now suggesting only certain groups at higher risk for the virus wear masks indoors. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) WBZ-TV reports Worcesters leaders are going to ask the Board of Health to rescind the policy on Monday. Town Mask Mandate Announcement, effective February 11, 2022. "Masks are one of the most important measures just because of the way the virus is transmitted. The town of Sharon has had a mask mandate since the end of August 2021, but Health Administrator Leandra McLean said the transmissibility rate is still too high to end it. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) Students . That includes Boston, Chelsea and Northampton schools. Why N95, KN95 masks are so much more effective than cloth, Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky announces indoor mask mandate, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Mask Recommendations and Requirements | Mass.gov . . And hoping for stronger evidence that we have definitively turned the pandemic corner. I wish I felt as confident as he does. But this could all change: according to Mayor Michelle Wu, based on the latest data, the vaccine requirements could be lifted very soon. How Parents Are Finding Baby Formula in Boston, Heres Every Last Olympian with Local Ties, This search result is here to prevent scraping, On the Market: A Penthouse Unit in a Former Boston Brewery, Here's Where to Find the Best Fish and Chips in Boston, On the Market: A Back Bay Townhouse Overlooking the Charles, Here are the 2023 Boston Marathon Winners, The Interview: Crime-Fiction TV Writer and Novelist Dennis Lehane, Careers and Internships at Boston Magazine, Fewer than 200 COVID-19 hospitalizations per day, A community positivity rate below 5%, as defined by the Boston Public Health Commissions seven-day moving average. It's complicated. "When I heard the news that the mandate was lifted, I just thought it is progress. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Centers For Disease Control has recommended that even fully vaccinated Americans in areas with substantial or high COVID transmission mask up indoors. As the delta variant pushes a new rise in coronavirus cases, infecting the unvaccinated as well as a small percentage of fully vaccinated people, communities in Massachusetts are once again implementing mask-wearing requirements. It's an uneasy milestone for many, As Mass. So I feel safer, like, when I go to the grocery store, just wearing one.". The most recent guidance says that K95, K94 and N95 masks offer the best protection. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Why Mass. is rolling back its mask and vaccine mandates The same release said 41% of eligible city residents have received a booster shot, which was up two percent from the week prior. Mandates have come and gone, and in some cases never arrived at all. This article was originally published on August 30, 2021. Worcester rescinds city mask mandate; other towns also lifting Check storefronts and online before heading out without a mask. Framingham was among several communities torecently issuemask mandates, with Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and the Board of Health issuing a joint order last Friday. Map: Here's where masks are required indoors in Massachusetts 2 min read. Each town has its own specifics around these requirements, so visit the community's website for more information. Town of Essex, MA Essex Town Hall 30 Martin Street Essex, MA 01929. We will use this information to improve this page. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. The mask mandate remains in place in public places like buses and city buildings. Meanwhile the neighboring town of Canton appears closer to lifting their mask mandate. A lock icon ( How Mask Policies Have Changed In MA Towns, Cities - Worcester, MA - With COVID-19 cases declining in many areas, mask mandates are ending. Im not ready to throw my mask away yet. 22News has compiled a list of towns that have mask mandates here. The state Department of Public Health issued a mask advisory on Dec. 21 recommending but not requiring the use of face coverings indoors in public. Whether youre required to wear a face mask depends on where you are. Its been a dizzying few months in Massachusetts when it comes to rules on masks and vaccines in this stage of the pandemic. Others only require masks in public buildings. Dozens of Massachusetts schools are already mask-free. Individual businesses can implement their own mandates,. I am all about learning to live with COVID-19, but I dont understand why we couldnt start that transition from a position of strength. "We feel we are in a fairly safe position to do this rescission," said Dr. Michael Hirsh,Worcester's medical director, citing declining infections, hospitalizations and test positivity rates. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Keeping to small circles in which I can feel safer. Dont expect those rules to go anywhere anytime soonyou may not want to relax your policy of stuffing spare masks into coat pockets. moves to relax mask rules, students say COVID is still taking a toll. We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. She suggested the Board of Health review the citys COVID-19 case data at its next meeting to determine wether to recommend altering the mandate or keeping it as is. BOSTON (SHNS) - As COVID-19 case counts continue to rise across Massachusetts, including its schools, a decision about whether to extend the mask mandate in . It helps me relax" Anne Pofcher of Beverly said. Download the latest advisory, updated June 10, 2022: Please do not include personal or contact information. No Yes. March 9, 2022, 12:54 p.m. . If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. Everett and Waltham, meanwhile, do not have indoor mask mandates at all. (CBS) -- As coronavirus cases in Massachusetts and around the country have risen due to the highly contagious Delta variant, some communities are starting to re-issue face mask advisories or mandates. Masked up with proof of vaccination and rapid tests at the ready, even as everybody else leaves all that behind. Beverly is not alone in its decision. Mayor Michelle Wu has decided they will have to continue wearing masks at school, even though other school districts are doing away with them, per Gov. Some towns and cities have community-wide mask requirements. Framingham was among several communities to recently issue mask. It had quite a run with its strict no-people policy, and was closed for longer than any other states capital. Many Massachusetts Schools Return From February Break With No Mask Mandate Also, this week, the state Department of Public health relaxed its guidanceabout who should continue to wear masks and where: DPH now says people who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks in most public places, unless they or someone in their household faces a higher risk of a severe case of COVID. In late August, the state announced it will require masks in public schools for students over age 4 and all staffers, regardless of vaccination status, until at least Oct. 1. Schools Continue Downward Trend, New Video Shows Moment Floor Buckled on Green Line Train on Marathon Monday, Pupdate on the Adorable Dog That Fell Asleep on Our Broadcast, Popeye's Customers Angry Over Menu Item Trash Worcester Restaurant: Police, We Spent $100,000 on an Abandoned High School, and $3.3 Million to Convert It Into ApartmentsTake a Look Inside. An iHeartRadio station. WORCESTER, MA This was a big week for masks in Massachusetts. 2 more Massachusetts communities drop their mask mandate WESTBORO, MASS. Chan School of Public Health. Dropping the mask mandate on the day they return from a week off seems especially risky. August 31, 2021 / 10:06 AM Use this button to show and access all levels. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. As of February 8, 42 of them were allowed to drop their mandates under a state program that allowed schools to qualify for an exemption. Below is a list of cities and towns that have made face mask announcements: Arlington: Masks are required in indoor spaces that are open to the public, Bedford: Masks required in indoor public spaces or private spaces open to the public, Belmont: Masks are required in any indoor spaces open to the public including restaurants, bars, salons, places of worship, fitness centers and other businesses. These are all the Massachusetts towns that have indoor mask mandates How Mask Policies Have Changed In MA Towns, Cities Quincys home to the latest apparently racism-fueled violent incident, where an Asian man was allegedly run over repeatedly. Join us. Researchers at the University of Washington have been monitoring the levels of immunity in countries around the world. Masks no longer mandated in these 42 Massachusetts schools In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. But he is worried some communities might be rolling back these protections too soon. Per a release from January 28, the city said they plan on keeping their current COVID safety measures in place until Sunday. . Individual businesses and other facilities may still have mask mandates in place. Where should you wear a mask indoors? This map shows the COVID-19 level This map shows the COVID-19 level in each Massachusetts community, according to the CDC's new system. COVID-19 Mask Requirements | Mass.gov Even though lots of states have been dropping their school mask mandates, the CDC thinks its too soon to take that step, and is sticking with its guidance that kids stay masked in schools. Mass. Public School Mask Mandate Extended Into 2022 - NBC Boston Freestanding, outpatient behavioral health settings are not subject to the requirements of this Order. They say three quarters of Americans are immune; by March they expect the immune numbers will be higher. Statewide, the Department of Public Health is advising fully vaccinated people to wear face masks indoors in public if they have have a weakened immune system, an underlying condition that puts them at risk for severe infection, or lives with someone who is at risk or unvaccinated. Nantucket: Masks mandated for customers and staff at retail stores, restaurants, bars, performance venues, places of worship, event spaces and other businesses Newton: Masks are required for. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. All key COVID-19 metrics, including deaths, cases, and . In MetroWest, some cities and towns have mask mandates, some have advisories and some have no local policy at all. Listen Live: Classic and Contemporary Celtic, Listen Live: Cape, Coast and Islands NPR Station, 'A lot of bang for your buck' with jail-based arts programs, From slams to sidewalks, poetry is alive in Greater Boston, How American English has borrowed, stolen, and evolved into an imperial language, Worcester school counselor Sean Magwire is a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says Supreme Court needs an enforceable code of conduct. "It doesnt make sense to me because they were so emphatic about it before and now theyre saying you dont have to do anything? Only staff and vendors must wear masks at the following sites: adult day health programs, dental offices, speech, occupational and physical therapy settings and other freestanding medical/clinical settings that do not primarily care for patients with acute illness or immunocompromised patients. Breaking news when it happens. As cities and towns drop their mask mandates, could schools be next? lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. Masks continue to be required in the settings defined below, except for when eating, drinking, sleeping, or as provided for in applicable guidance, and for an individual in a group that is exempt from the Order. Two years of the emotional and physical ups and downs of living with the nagging anxiety about contracting the disease. The CDC recommends that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you can wear for as long as you need it. CDC Updates COVID Mask Guidelines: What It Means In Massachusetts Kanton Mathis' 12-year-old son Eric wants to wear his mask at his Decatur, Georgia, school, where masks are now optional . "I'm just concerned that there are places that are getting a little bit ahead of the curve, and could inadvertently create a situation where those cases go back up," he said. Virginia. Plenty more have followed since. Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images. In each of the settings listed below, Persons in Massachusetts over the age of 5 years old are required to wear a mask over their mouth and nose as outlined below: Non-residential healthcare facilities and programs licensed or operated by the Commonwealth, Healthcare practice settings of any provider licensed by a professional board which sits within the Department of Public Health or the Division of Occupational Licensure. I am vaccinated and boosted, and the number of vaccinated Massachusetts residents is high, though people are still getting breakthrough infections. Massachusetts schools and cities are dropping mask mandates. Why are we State education officials, meanwhile, announced the end of in-school mask mandates . COVID is still here but we are trending more towards an endemic, which means its always going to be here sort of like the flu., Read More: South Yarmouth Man Reported Missing During Blizzard Found Dead, This comes as news broke Friday that the City of Worcester is considering lifting their indoor mask mandate, which was put in place in September 2021. "It would be a lot easier if we were able to move as a region, but right now the system isnt set up that way. oncology, rheumatology, immunology). I had just enjoyed eating out in restaurants Id avoided before the mandate. Masks Down? Massachusetts Cities And Towns Consider Dropping Mask Mandates Heres a town-by-town breakdown of local mask policies: Note: The following towns also require masks in all municipal buildings. Just over 75% of the population has gotten a booster shot. Residents and visitors are still required to wear masks on public transit, in healthcare and congregate care facilities, among others.