Some page levels are currently hidden. "Masks are one of the most important measures just because of the way the virus is transmitted. 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. 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. 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. Masks are optional for residents as further described in DPH Guidance: Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Response. For Home health care workers, including Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) and Home Health Aides in community and home-based settings where they are providing patient-facing care. As is Mayor Michelle Wus recent decision to lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. Some towns and cities have community-wide mask requirements. Mask up:Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky announces indoor mask mandate. No Yes. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Mask Recommendations and Requirements, is. Governor Charlie Baker was asked if the state was considering dropping the mask mandate anytime soon. 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. Unless there is solid evidence that TikTok is a political and military threat, all of this Sturm und Drang has no actual point. I am vaccinated and boosted, and the number of vaccinated Massachusetts residents is high, though people are still getting breakthrough infections. 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? An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Mask Recommendations and Requirements, is. We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. "It's a lot easier to breathe, said owner Alaina Bracket. Follow Abby onTwitter@AMPatkin. (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. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. 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. Others only require masks in public buildings. We couldn't do it without you. My stance is that I think we should move towards a mask advisory rather than a mandate, said Board of Health Chair Anjali Schutt. Just over 75% of the population has gotten a booster shot. Other cities in recent days have been weighing whether to join them. Framingham was among several communities to recently issue mask. In fact, some measures are back to where they were last fall before a surge in infections related to delta and omicron variants. WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@wbzSausville) spoke with health officials from two towns south of Boston: Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App. In MetroWest, some cities and towns have mask mandates, some have advisories and some have no local policy at all. Effective July 1, 2022, the Department of Public Health advises that individuals should wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home) if you have a weakened immune system, or 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 Use this button to show and access all levels. Some local communities missing from this list may not have provided explicit mask guidance. Mandates have come and gone, and in some cases never arrived at all. Please check with your local government for the mask rules in your community. Why are so many communities dropping their restrictions now? Worcester earlier this month voted to rescind its indoor mask mandate, which takes effect on February 18. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft both require that drivers and riders wear masks. 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. The omicron variant is coming to an end, well wait to see whats on the horizon," Lowells Health Director Lisa Golden said. Use this button to show and access all levels. NATICK The Board of Health voted on Tuesday to let the town's indoor mask mandate expire Feb. 28, with public health officials citing Natick's falling COVID-19 cases and steady vaccination. 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. Bracket said business at Purple Carrot is still down about 50% from pre-COVID days. As of Thursday, businesses in those communities are no longer required to enforce face covering regulations. I think, in general, we want to see a significant decrease in cases that is maintained over time.". 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. The moves come after COVID-19 infections have seen a sharp drop. The City of Lowell and the town of Beverly both dropped their indoor mask mandates this week. Chan School of Public Health. But overall, I think it will mean a little bump in sales.". Editor's Note: We have stopped updating this list as of Nov. 23. Individual businesses can implement their own mandates,. She also said it is tough having different rules in different places. What is wrong with waiting for that important marker? The Board of Health in Worcester, the state's second-largest city, voted 3-2 to begin phasing out the city's mandate. An iHeartRadio station. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Brookline did the same thing. The lack of state mandate has left individual communities to decide the issue of masking for themselves, resulting in a patchwork of policies across the state. Charlie Bakers administration is "not considering a universal mask mandate at this time.". Just over 75% of the population has gotten a booster shot. Were hearing conflicting messages from city, state, and federal officials, not to mention from health experts weve been told to heed all along. Absent a statewide mask mandate, the number of communities that are requiring people to mask up while inside public places has risen in recent weeks across Massachusetts. I may be swimming upstream against a strong public current, but Im OK with that. WBZ-TV reports Worcesters leaders are going to ask the Board of Health to rescind the policy on Monday. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world. 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. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Meanwhile, lots of other cities and towns still require masks, though policies are changing almost daily. It helps me relax" Anne Pofcher of Beverly said. Thank you for your website feedback! Worcester Library's Mini-Golf Fundraiser Returns For Adults, Families, Mothers Day 2023 Brunch: Reserve Now In Worcester, Students Maced, Big Tree Debt, New Gun Zoning: Patch Top Stories, Worcester Area: 5 Freshest Properties For Sale, 2023 Food Truck Season Starts In MA With 'Showdown' In Spencer. It's complicated. Dozens of Massachusetts schools are already mask-free. 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. Others only require masks in public buildings. The city of Lowell and the town of Beverly are dropping their mask mandates for businesses after seeing a drop in COVID-19 infections. A lack of competition invites a focus on internal politics over the public good. Struggling to keep up with the state of play? If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Until we get down to low levels of transmission, I think mask use is one of the last measures to be removed," Hamer said. Mandates Masks required in public spaces, including private businesses. Check storefronts and online before heading out without a mask. If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. Keeping to small circles in which I can feel safer. "I feel like in the winter, everyone is sick with something, whether it's COVID or not. The State House, closed to the public for nearly two years, is finally reopening on February 22. These are all the Massachusetts towns that have indoor mask mandates Sahar Fatima 12/15/2021 'I could just hear people screaming': Victims describe being hit by blast in South Austin building If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. Many Massachusetts Schools Return From February Break With No Mask Mandate February 28, 2022 / 5:00 PM / CBS Boston BROCKTON (CBS) - For the first time in months, students in most school. Under Worcester's new policy, masks will still be required on public transportation, in the airport and at some other public spaces. Drivers and other staff on transportation provided by the HST Brokerage system must wear masks. I know the restauranteurs said the vax proof mandate drove away customers, but the restaurants I visited were full. The mandate will be reviewed again on Nov. 5, Martha's Vineyard: Masks are required in all indoor spaces open to the public in Edgartown, Oak Bluffs and Tisbury, Medford: Face masks must be worn by all individuals ages 5 and older indoors in public spaces effective September 10, 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 indoor public spaces, Provincetown:An indoor mask mandate has been replaced by an advisory, Salem: Indoor mask mandate throughout city until November 13, Sharon: Masks require for everyone ages two and older in all indoor public places or private spaces open to the public, Somerville: Masks mandatory in all indoor public places, Truro: Masks required in indoor businesses, clubs and places of assembly, as well as crowded outdoor spaces, Watertown: Masks required in indoor spaces open to the public, Wellfleet: Masks required at indoor businesses, recommended outdoors if social distancing is not possible, Winchester: Masks required at indoor public spaces, houses of worship and indoor private spaces open to the public, Worcester: Masks required at indoor spaces open to the public starting Sept. 20, First published on August 31, 2021 / 10:06 AM.

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