Wearing a mask provides protection against COVID and other viruses, especially when indoors or in crowded spaces. 2 more Massachusetts communities drop their mask mandate Data from the Department of Public Health on Friday revealed that 5,218,681 Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated against the virus. And some cities and towns have no requirements at all. Struggling to keep up with the state of play? Some local communities missing from this list may not have provided explicit mask guidance. 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. The BOH had declined to officially recommend a mandate just a few days prior, though both sitting members had said they would be in favor of one. Youll have to wear a mask to drop by. oncology, rheumatology, immunology). Editor's Note: We have stopped updating this list as of Nov. 23. Wearing a mask provides protection against COVID and other viruses, especially when indoors or in crowded spaces. But keep in mind that we've had three big spikes since this pandemic began two years ago and we could have another one. Town Mask Mandate Announcement, effective February 11, 2022 Join us. Thank you! Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. . Masks are optional for staff, patients, vendors, and visitors in these settings. The mask mandate for most Massachusetts public schools has been extended into January, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Tuesday. 2 min read. Its not that I believe kids, or for that matter adults, should be mandated to wear masks forever, but the school mask policy is premature. Belmont: The town of Belmont has decided to enact a town mask mandate to cover municipal buildings, as well as any indoor public space, including restaurants, bars, retail shops and gyms. Please limit your input to 500 characters. I may be swimming upstream against a strong public current, but Im OK with that. You skipped the table of contents section. By a 3-2 margin, the panel . The majority of Massachusetts public schools will enter a week-long vacation on Feb. 21, most classes will resume on Feb. 28 the same day the school mask mandate will be rescinded. Keeping to small circles in which I can feel safer. But overall, I think it will mean a little bump in sales.". Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. On transportation provided by the Commonwealths Human Service Transportation (HST) Brokerage system. The U.S. States That Are Ending Mask Mandates (Published 2022) LIST: These Massachusetts Cities And Towns Have Issued Face Mask Download the latest advisory, updated June 10, 2022:Updated Advisory Regarding Masks and Face Coverings PDF| DOC. Some page levels are currently hidden. "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. Some towns and cities have community-wide mask requirements. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. As is Mayor Michelle Wus recent decision to lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. oncology, rheumatology, immunology). The same release said 41% of eligible city residents have received a booster shot, which was up two percent from the week prior. Baker said that's possible largely because of the state has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country and testing is widely available. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 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. The mandate applies to all businesses, retail stores, restaurants, bars, clubs, fitness centers and other places of assembly.. "If you are infected with the coronavirus and do not know it, a mask is very good at keeping your respiratory droplets and particles from infecting others," Johns Hopkins Health System epidemiologist Lisa Lockerd Maragakis said about masks. Each town has its own specifics around these requirements, so visit the community's website for more information. Staff, patients, vendors, and visitors must all wear masks at the following sites: vaccination sites, primary care and urgent care settings, and any medical/clinical settings that primarily care for patients with acute illness and/or immunocompromised patients. Earlier this month, the governor announced the statewide school mask mandate would expire on Feb. 28. I am vaccinated and boosted, and the number of vaccinated Massachusetts residents is high, though people are still getting breakthrough infections. If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. The city also recommends that the unvaccinated and people who are immune-compromised or who live with people who are immune-compromised continue to wear masks. Town Mask Mandate Announcement, effective February 11, 2022. Key numbers from the state Department of Public Health show infections, hospitalizations and positive test rates peaked in January and have been steadily dropping since. WBZ-TV also reports that Worcester has fined more than 100 places for noncompliance. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Were here to help. Masked up with proof of vaccination and rapid tests at the ready, even as everybody else leaves all that behind. Masks Down? Massachusetts Cities And Towns Consider Dropping Mask Mandates Masks are optional for residents as further described in DPH Guidance: Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Response. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. BOSTON (CBS) With the new Omicron variant driving COVID-19 cases to record levels in Massachusetts, many cities and towns have brought back or extended face mask mandates to slow the spread. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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. You skipped the table of contents section. Billerica: Employees of the town will be required to wear masks while moving throughout the building. Updated Advisory Regarding Masks and Face Coverings PDF, Updated Advisory Regarding Masks and Face Coverings, Consejos para Cubrirse la Cara y para el Uso de Mascarillas de Tela, Boletim sobre coberturas para o rosto e mscaras de pano, Avi Konsnan Atik pou Kouvri Figi ak Mask an Twal yo, Kshilla pr mbulimin e fytyrs dhe maskat prej lecke, , Konsedju sobri maskras di panu y tapa kara, , . "It doesnt make sense to me because they were so emphatic about it before and now theyre saying you dont have to do anything? If this mandate prevents one person from having to seek medical care from our severely overtaxed health care system right now, then I think weve done the right thing, fellow board member Alexandra Rubin said. How Mask Policies Have Changed In MA Towns, Cities - Worcester, MA - With COVID-19 cases declining in many areas, mask mandates are ending. Dozens of Massachusetts schools are already mask-free. WESTBORO, MASS. So are Chelsea and Northampton. The state program can take a victory lap after the smash success of Wakanda Forever.. And. August 31, 2021 / 10:06 AM Local communities mask mandates - WWLP We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. A MARTNEZ, HOST: For months, the state of Massachusetts has had its sweeping mask mandates for schools, but this week it allowed communities to lift them. Updated Advisory Regarding Masks and Face Coverings PDF, Updated Advisory Regarding Masks and Face Coverings, Consejos para Cubrirse la Cara y para el Uso de Mascarillas de Tela, Boletim sobre coberturas para o rosto e mscaras de pano, Avi Konsnan Atik pou Kouvri Figi ak Mask an Twal yo, Kshilla pr mbulimin e fytyrs dhe maskat prej lecke, , Konsedju sobri maskras di panu y tapa kara, , . Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Bucci said it was hard to understand why his customers had to wear a mask when they came into the diner, but could take it off the second they sat at a table. Use this button to show and access all levels. . Callie Crossley hosts Under the Radar with Callie Crossley and shares radio essays each Monday on GBHs Morning Edition. Earlier, when the Omicron surge was heating up late last year, DPH advised all people, regardless of health or vaccination status, to mask up indoors. Heres a town-by-town breakdown of local mask policies: Note: The following towns also require masks in all municipal buildings. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Mayor Wu said this week that its possible we could get into the sweet spot in the next few days or so. Wu has cautioned, however, that if those numbers tick up again, the mandates could return all over again. / CBS Boston. Some page levels are currently hidden. 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 if they had high vaccination rates. You can try, Too close to home? Feb 11, 2022 at 1:10 pm ET. Bostons K-12 students are returning to the classrooms today after school vacation week, officially Mid Winter Break. Learn about mask recommendations and requirements in Massachusetts. You can try, CHARTS: Mass. In Boston, the B Together plan calls for the mandate to end when the following criteria are met: At the rate things are going, that might be right around the corner. But when I consider those kids returning from weeklong family trips out of town, or staycations at home all I can think is superspreader. How many people have they interacted with? Masks are optional for staff, patients, vendors, and visitors in these settings. Which Massachusetts cities and towns are requiring masks? Until we get down to low levels of transmission, I think mask use is one of the last measures to be removed," Hamer said. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. BOSTON MA. '"It's wonderful to see people's smiling faces," said Lenny Marcus, who directs the Program for Health Care Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at Harvard's T.H. Meanwhile the neighboring town of Canton appears closer to lifting their mask mandate. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft both require that drivers and riders wear masks. will stop requiring masks in public schools. (WHDH) - The list of Massachusetts communities opting to bring back indoor mask mandates continues to grow as the omicron variant fuels a surge in new COVID-19 cases. They say three quarters of Americans are immune; by March they expect the immune numbers will be higher. Just over 75% of the population has gotten a booster shot. "It's a lot easier to breathe, said owner Alaina Bracket. Many Massachusetts Schools Return From February Break With No Mask Mandate Replies (10 . 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. Plenty more have followed since.