Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. So I feel safer, like, when I go to the grocery store, just wearing one.". 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enter a week-long vacation on Feb. 21, most classes will resume on Feb. 28 the same day the school mask mandate will be rescinded. Its been a dizzying few months in Massachusetts when it comes to rules on masks and vaccines in this stage of the pandemic. But he is worried some communities might be rolling back these protections too soon. Feb 11, 2022 at 1:10 pm ET. Private parochial schools in Boston have said they will not keep mask mandates in place past that date. The . If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. Download the latest advisory, updated June 10, 2022: Please do not include personal or contact information. All key COVID-19 metrics, including deaths, cases, and . Please let us know how we can improve this page. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Freestanding, outpatient behavioral health settings are not subject to the requirements of this Order. 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. 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. As for vax mandates, school staff in Boston right now need to be vaccinated, but a new agreement struck with the city will allow unvaccinated teachers back into the classroom if case counts are low, and they agree to take COVID tests twice weekly. 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, , . As you certainly know by now, Boston opted to make vaccine checks mandatory at indoor venues like restaurants and gyms in January. . Keep in mind, these advisories and mandates only come from local governments. Administrator Reports; Beach Water Quality Information; Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Pandemic Information; Emergency Preparedness. For example, many restaurants in Cambridge require proof of vaccination. Governor Charlie Baker was asked if the state was considering dropping the mask mandate anytime soon. But keep in mind that we've had three big spikes since this pandemic began two years ago and we could have another one. My stance is that I think we should move towards a mask advisory rather than a mandate, said Board of Health Chair Anjali Schutt. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Mask Recommendations and Requirements, is. COVID doesnt stop at every town line," Driscoll said. Mask up:Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky announces indoor mask mandate. A lock icon ( Charlie Baker's recent decision to lift the mask . 2023 www.metrowestdailynews.com. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Abby Patkin is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. The mask mandate for most Massachusetts public schools has been extended into January, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Tuesday. Im just so happy that its lifted because I want people to come in and feel comfortable and be able to relax, David Bucci, the owner of City Eats said. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. moves to relax mask rules, students say COVID is still taking a toll. Were hearing conflicting messages from city, state, and federal officials, not to mention from health experts weve been told to heed all along. And some cities and towns have no requirements at all. Worcester's Board of Health voted Monday night to rescind a citywide mask mandate, following other communities that have made similar moves as COVID-19 cases decline. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. "If youre going to get your coffee or going to the gym to work out, you dont need your mask. Meanwhile, Boston is nearing the next stage of its vaccine mandate policyper the citys B Together plan, kids 12 and older will need to be fully vaccinated to enter those places, too, beginning February 15. Home of Traffic and Weather Together on the 3s. 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. (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. February 28, 2022. "It's a lot easier to breathe, said owner Alaina Bracket. Individual businesses and other facilities may still have mask mandates in place. BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) With COVID-19 rates in Massachusetts on the decline, some cities and towns are looking to adjust their safety protocols. "If you havent yet received your COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask can also help prevent germs that come from another persons respiratory droplets from getting into your nose and mouth.". The state program can take a victory lap after the smash success of Wakanda Forever.. A number of other cities and towns have dropped their mask mandates, including Lowell, Beverly and Mansfield. Kids ages 5-11 will need to have at least one dose by March 1, and two doses by May 1. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. As the African proverb warns, Do not throw away the oars until the boat reaches the shore.. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. Marcus said it's understandable that we want to leave mask requirements behind. ( WWLP) - Cities and towns across the state have re-implementing mask mandates as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has overtaken the Delta variant as the most dominant strain in the country.. But Dr. Simone Wildes, a South Shore Health infectious disease physician, warns of jumping the gun. WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@wbzSausville) spoke with health officials from two towns south of Boston: Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App. Boston requires all city workers get vaccinated, which has prompted push-back and legal fights from some public employee unions. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. She hosts Basic Black, which focuses on current events impacting communities of color and appears weekly on Beat the Press, examining local and national media coverage. "I like not having to remind people, so that's nice," she said. Others only require masks in public buildings. Town Mask Mandate Announcement, effective February 11, 2022. 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. oncology, rheumatology, immunology). Updated: Jan 7, 2022 / 06:13 PM EST. 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. ), COVID mask guide:Why N95, KN95 masks are so much more effective than cloth, Last Tuesday, Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders told state legislators that Gov. And the details are changing quickly. "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. "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 you're a human and see this, please ignore it. 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. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a mask mandate that runs through the end of February. Less than a month after the peak of the omicron surge, here's a rundown on the status of mask policies across the region. 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. Everett and Waltham, meanwhile, do not have indoor mask mandates at all. Below is a list of cities and towns where masks are required in all indoor public places: Belmont Starting Aug. 9, masks or face It's complicated. "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. . I may be swimming upstream against a strong public current, but Im OK with that. We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. 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. Drivers and other staff on transportation provided by the HST Brokerage system must wear masks. Kanton Mathis' 12-year-old son Eric wants to wear his mask at his Decatur, Georgia, school, where masks are now optional . Just over 75% of the population has gotten a booster shot. With cases and hospitalizations both down in Massachusetts, some think it is time to ease up on restrictions, while others are still not comfortable taking masks off. Framingham was among several communities torecently issuemask mandates, with Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and the Board of Health issuing a joint order last Friday. Download the latest advisory, updated June 10, 2022: Please do not include personal or contact information. 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. With Cantons vaccination rate hovering around 80%, the town will be voting on lifting their mask mandate Monday night. Drivers and other staff on transportation provided by the HST Brokerage system must wear masks. Here's our running tally of which of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts have brought back masking rules. Finally, mask mandates remain in force on public transportation including MBTA buses, trains and ferries as well in state health care facilities. Anthony Brooks Twitter Senior Political ReporterAnthony Brooks is WBUR's senior political reporter. "I feel like in the winter, everyone is sick with something, whether it's COVID or not. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. Youll also need either proof of vaccination or a negative test taken no more than a day in advance. "It's time to give our kids a sense of normalcy and lift the mask mandate on a state-wide basis for schools," Baker said. Framingham was among several communities to recently issue mask. "It's a little awkward, and I worry that I'll lose customers when I say, 'Hey, we have a mask mandate.' All rights reserved. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Even if mandates are ending, masks are still a good way to protect yourself from inhaling respiratory droplets that carry coronavirus. Dozens of schools across the state are already mask-free. Support GBH. The situation reminds me of the sharp spikes in infection rates that occurred right after last years holiday travels during Thanksgiving and Christmas. So again, you need to check out what your community or favorite restaurant or gym require. At least 18. 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, , . 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. These experts aren't quite ready, Boston municipal unions bring vaccine mandate opposition to City Council. reporter: plymouth rescinded the indoor mask mandate except for town offices. One of the things that we plan to do is to bring it before the next board meeting and see if they want to change the recommendation of how we will base repealing the mandate.. For the first time since early August, the Commonwealth reported fewer than 1,000 average daily confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last week. 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 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. 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. Thank you! An appellate court justice has temporarily blocked the city from enforcing the mandate for police and fire departments. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. Data from the Department of Public Health on Friday revealed that 5,218,681 Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated against the virus. 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. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. 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. 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. Dropping the mask mandate on the day they return from a week off seems especially risky. I had just enjoyed eating out in restaurants Id avoided before the mandate. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. 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. 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. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Mandates Masks required in public spaces, including private businesses. / CBS Boston. No Yes. (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. Many of his customers said they prefer the masks to be optional. How Mask Policies Have Changed In MA Towns, Cities - Worcester, MA - With COVID-19 cases declining in many areas, mask mandates are ending. And. While their seven-day average positivity rate has continued to decline to 278 cases, the city said that rate is still above last years peak of just under 200. When you see it on a map, its striking just how much variety there is when it comes to policies town-by-town and city-by-city. Earlier this month, the governor announced the statewide school mask mandate would expire on Feb. 28. Masks are optional for residents as further described in DPH Guidance: Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Response. Other communities have pushed further and declared a mask mandate in all indoor spaces. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. A statewide mask mandate in schools is set to end February 28, but cities and towns are free to keep them in place if they so choose, and many of them are doing just that. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 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. Updated: Aug. 13, 2021, 8:56 a.m. | The keys to staying connected to your kids this pandemic school year. Dozens of Massachusetts schools are already mask-free. In fact, some measures are back to where they were last fall before a surge in infections related to delta and omicron variants. 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. Boston still requires them for all public indoor spaces, as do neighbors Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, and Brookline. I wish I felt as confident as he does. Schutt said that while the pandemic is ending, the war against the virus has no end in sight. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Masks are optional for residents as further described in DPH Guidance: Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Response. Dr. David Hamer, a professor of global health and medicine at Boston University, said he understands why some want to ease restrictions, but when it comes to masks, he said the public should use caution. 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. Charlie Bakers recent decision to lift the mask mandate. While it is too early to say if it will be lifted, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said they will look at all of the data before making a decision. "It's a little too soon to say, 'OK, let's get rid of the masks.' . If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) Were here to help. . oncology, rheumatology, immunology). Doctors and parents are divided about the kids going maskless, but the governor said the significant drop in COVID-19 cases and deaths supported the change, saying, We have all the tools we need to keep schools safe as we move into dealing with the next phase of managing COVID.. I seriously cant believe were about to mark two years of the pandemic. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Thank you for your website feedback! Staff, patients, vendors, and visitors must all wear masks at the following sites: hospitals, emergency medical services, primary care and urgent care settings. 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. Were moving too quickly. community health centers and clinics or other licensed medical/clinical settings that care for patients with acute illness and/or immunocompromised patients (e.g. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. Some places, like Medford, Malden, and Melrose, require masks only in municipal buildings. WORCESTER, MA This was a big week for masks in Massachusetts. The City of Lowell and the town of Beverly both dropped their indoor mask mandates this week. By a 3-2 margin, the panel . In MetroWest, some cities and towns have mask mandates, some have advisories and some have no local policy at all. What about masking rules for cities and towns? Yet while some states, including California and New York, require most people to wear masks indoors in public places, Massachusetts has held out. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft both require that drivers and riders wear masks. The latest numbers are good news. All rights reserved, With cases and hospitalizations both down in Massachusetts, New COVID Cases in Mass. The deadline has previously been pushed back, after the mandate was issued in August. by: Melissa Torres. They are still required in city buildings. 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. Mask mandates in western Massachusetts . So are Chelsea and Northampton. Wearing a mask provides protection against COVID and other viruses, especially when indoors or in crowded spaces. Please check with your local government for the mask rules in your community. New metrics for rolling back the rules are here, or theyre on the way. Boston's K-12 students are returning to the classrooms today after school vacation week, officially Mid Winter Break. As is Mayor Michelle Wus recent decision to lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. Bracket said business at Purple Carrot is still down about 50% from pre-COVID days. Use this button to show and access all levels. Other cities and towns considered following in Bostons footstepsamong them Arlington, Cambridge, and Somervillebut didnt,although lots and lots of business owners have enacted their own vaccine rules. will stop requiring masks in public schools. Municipal requirement Masks required inside municipal buildings, including libraries, seniors centers and at public meetings. lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. I am vaccinated and boosted, and the number of vaccinated Massachusetts residents is high, though people are still getting breakthrough infections. Keeping to small circles in which I can feel safer. Staff, patients, vendors, and visitors must all wear masks at the following sites: hospitals, emergency medical services, primary care and urgent care settings. Some page levels are currently hidden. I think I will be wearing it for a while," Arlene Dacey of Beverly said. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 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. Your best bet is probably to still make sure youve got a photo of your vax card handy when going out and about in the Boston area, even if the town youre in doesnt have an explicit vax mandate policy. Masks are still mandatory statewide in certain other locations like hospitals and nursing homes, and in most forms of transportation you share with strangers, including airplanes and airports, and on all MBTA trains, buses, and platforms. It's complicated. 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. Meanwhile the neighboring town of Canton appears closer to lifting their mask mandate. Some local communities missing from this list may not have provided explicit mask guidance. 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. Advisories Local governments are only advising people to wear masks in public. Lowell also let its mask mandate expire. 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. Not every school is ready for that just . So, if you are unsure of what the requirement is where you live, you should check your local health department's website. If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. 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. 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. The same release said 41% of eligible city residents have received a booster shot, which was up two percent from the week prior. across the country lift indoor mask mandates and proof-of . BOSTON MA. We couldn't do it without you. WESTBORO, MASS. Updated: Feb 3, 2022 / 11:55 PM EST. August 31, 2021 / 10:06 AM The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Data from the Department of Public Health on Friday revealed that 5,218,681 Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated against the virus. Im not ready to throw my mask away yet. How many of them are still unvaccinated? 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. Two years of the emotional and physical ups and downs of living with the nagging anxiety about contracting the disease. >> the spike has gone and now we're back to the lower numbers we like toee s repoerrt: so far the cdc is continuing to . 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. 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. As of Thursday, businesses in those communities are no longer required to enforce face covering regulations. 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. And how many of the pre-K kids too young to be vaccinated are now unsuspecting carriers of the virus or its recent mutation, omicron? The decision is aimed at relaxing restrictions and boosting business at places such as Purple Carrot Bread Co. in downtown Lowell. All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including health care facilities . But this could all change: according to Mayor Michelle Wu, based on the latest data, the vaccine requirements could be lifted very soon. Learn about mask recommendations and requirements in Massachusetts. 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. It will be up to each business to decide whether to require masks. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. It had quite a run with its strict no-people policy, and was closed for longer than any other states capital. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. In Massachusetts, the mask mandate was imposed in August and was extended three times. Per a release from January 28, the city said they plan on keeping their current COVID safety measures in place until Sunday. April 22, 2022 / 5:45 PM / AP. "In city buildings, you need your mask, and in the schools, the children in schools are still wearing masks, but those may be coming to an end soon," Golden said. Chan School of Public Health. Mandates have come and gone, and in some cases never arrived at all. You can try, CHARTS: Mass. Board Chair Dr. David Moore said a dramatic increase in the citys COVID-19 cases last week prompted action. Want to know the face covering rules and restrictions in your community? In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. 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. The Board of Health in Worcester, the state's second-largest city, voted 3-2 to begin phasing out the city's mandate.
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