No doubt full of cautious customers like me drawn by the extra precaution. I know the restauranteurs said the vax proof mandate drove away customers, but the restaurants I visited were full. This is also complicated: a number of cities and towns in the Boston area don't have vaccine requirements, including Arlington, Cambridge and Somerville, but lots of business owners have imposed their own rules. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. It will be up to each business to decide whether to require masks. 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. WESTBORO, MASS. Thank you for your website feedback! ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. An appellate court justice has temporarily blocked the city from enforcing the mandate for police and fire departments. "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. I think, in general, we want to see a significant decrease in cases that is maintained over time.". Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. 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. Here's our running tally of which of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts have brought back masking rules. 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. Updated: Aug. 13, 2021, 8:56 a.m. | The loosening of restrictions comes as COVID-19 cases linked to omicron have begun to recede. If you need assistance, please contact the Department of Public Health. Support GBH. Boston's K-12 students are returning to the classrooms today after school vacation week, officially Mid Winter Break. Bracket said business at Purple Carrot is still down about 50% from pre-COVID days. 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. Framingham was among several communities torecently issuemask mandates, with Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and the Board of Health issuing a joint order last Friday. Please limit your input to 500 characters. How Mask Policies Have Changed In MA Towns, Cities - Worcester, MA - With COVID-19 cases declining in many areas, mask mandates are ending. She can be reached atapatkin@wickedlocal.com. lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. 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. "Probably at least until the spring," she said. Replies (10 . Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. As of Thursday, businesses in those communities are no longer required to enforce face covering regulations. 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. If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) In MetroWest, some cities and towns have mask mandates, some have advisories and some have no local policy at all. ( 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.. Private parochial schools in Boston have said they will not keep mask mandates in place past that date. Beverly's mask mandate expired at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility at GBH, Transparency in Coverage Cost-Sharing Disclosures. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We dont blame you. The latest numbers are good news. Some local communities missing from this list may not have provided explicit mask guidance. Below is a list of cities and towns where masks are required in all indoor public places: Belmont Starting Aug. 9, masks or face But while the state mandate will end soon, some school districts may continue to require masks for now. The decision is aimed at relaxing restrictions and boosting business at places such as Purple Carrot Bread Co. in downtown Lowell. Unless there is solid evidence that TikTok is a political and military threat, all of this Sturm und Drang has no actual point. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft both require that drivers and riders wear masks. Breaking news when it happens. Charlie Bakers administration is "not considering a universal mask mandate at this time.". "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. Boston, the. 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 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. The City of Lowell and the town of Beverly both dropped their indoor mask mandates this week. Kids ages 5-11 will need to have at least one dose by March 1, and two doses by May 1. This map shows the COVID-19 level in each Massachusetts community, according to the CDC's new system. WBZ-TV also reports that Worcester has fined more than 100 places for noncompliance. 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. Virginia. 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. February 28, 2022. This requirement only applies to the worker providing care. With your support, GBH will continue to innovate, inspire and connect through reporting you value that meets todays moments. 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. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Im not ready to throw my mask away yet. Why are so many communities dropping their restrictions now? Less than a month after the peak of the omicron surge, here's a rundown on the status of mask policies across the region. 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 . isolation and quarantine guidance which includes wearing a mask in public for 5 more days after they leave isolation or quarantine on day 5, regardless of vaccination status. Boston also requires proof of vaccination to enter indoor restaurants, as well as fitness and entertainment venues. 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. 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. August 31, 2021 / 10:06 AM I wish I felt as confident as he does. Researchers at the University of Washington have been monitoring the levels of immunity in countries around the world. Quincys home to the latest apparently racism-fueled violent incident, where an Asian man was allegedly run over repeatedly. Other Massachusetts communities that have either voted to drop their mask mandate or allowed it to expire include Beverly, Billerica, Malden, Mansfield, Lowell and Worcester. The moves come after COVID-19 infections have seen a sharp drop. Masks are optional for residents as further described in DPH Guidance: Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Response. No Yes. Mayor Wu, for one, is keeping BPS mask mandate for now. 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 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.". "When I heard the news that the mandate was lifted, I just thought it is progress. 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. Keep in mind, these advisories and mandates only come from local governments. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Board Chair Dr. David Moore said a dramatic increase in the citys COVID-19 cases last week prompted action. "It's a lot easier to breathe, said owner Alaina Bracket. WBZ's Suzanne Sausville (@wbzSausville) spoke with health officials from two towns south of Boston: Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Anthony Brooks Twitter Senior Political ReporterAnthony Brooks is WBUR's senior political reporter. will have to continue wearing masks at school, Mass. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. The city of Lowell and the town of Beverly are dropping their mask mandates for businesses after seeing a drop in COVID-19 infections. Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. Keeping to small circles in which I can feel safer. COVID doesnt stop at every town line," Driscoll said. "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. 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. In skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities licensed or operated by the Commonwealth: masks are required for staff and visitors. Updated: Feb 3, 2022 / 11:55 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. Dozens of Massachusetts schools are already mask-free. Boston requires all city workers get vaccinated, which has prompted push-back and legal fights from some public employee unions. And some cities and towns have no requirements at all. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Protests outside Boston mayor's house spark debate, Mass. The Centers For Disease Control has recommended that even fully vaccinated Americans in areas with substantial or high COVID transmission mask up indoors. But this could all change: according to Mayor Michelle Wu, based on the latest data, the vaccine requirements could be lifted very soon. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. And. And although she sees the benefit in masks, she will no longer be asking for them at the door. Mask mandates return to college campuses as COVID-19 flares. Meanwhile the neighboring town of Canton appears closer to lifting their mask mandate. These experts aren't quite ready, Boston municipal unions bring vaccine mandate opposition to City Council. Wearing a mask provides protection against COVID and other viruses, especially when indoors or in crowded spaces. Masks are optional for staff, patients, vendors, and visitors in these settings. Youll have to wear a mask to drop by. The state Department of Public Health has relaxed its masking guidance, saying this week that people who are unvaccinated, or who have certain health conditions or compromised immune systems, or live with people who are at higher risk, should wear masks while sharing indoor spaces with other people outside their homes. It's an uneasy milestone for many, As Mass. 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. Struggling to keep up with the state of play? Upload file: february_11_2022.pdf. 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. '"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. Beverly is not alone in its decision. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. As COVID-19 cases spike once more, local health officials are putting increased emphasis on face coverings among the top tools for slowing the virus spread. Even if mandates are ending, masks are still a good way to protect yourself from inhaling respiratory droplets that carry coronavirus. Yet while some states, including California and New York, require most people to wear masks indoors in public places, Massachusetts has held out. Freestanding, outpatient behavioral health settings are not subject to the requirements of this Order. Data from the Department of Public Health on Friday revealed that 5,218,681 Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated against the virus. Dropping the mask mandate on the day they return from a week off seems especially risky. "I like not having to remind people, so that's nice," she said. Download the latest advisory, updated June 10, 2022: Please do not include personal or contact information. 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. Callie Crossley hosts Under the Radar with Callie Crossley and shares radio essays each Monday on GBHs Morning Edition. What about masking rules for cities and towns? 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. Mask mandates in Massachusetts: With COVID delta variant rising, these towns and cities have enacted face-covering guidelines. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. It had quite a run with its strict no-people policy, and was closed for longer than any other states capital. And the details are changing quickly. (Staff Photo By Nancy Lane/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) Students . oncology, rheumatology, immunology). 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. What is wrong with waiting for that important marker? And hospitals are still full of people struggling to recover from COVID-19 infection. community health centers and clinics or other licensed medical/clinical settings that care for patients with acute illness and/or immunocompromised patients (e.g. Schutt said that while the pandemic is ending, the war against the virus has no end in sight. Per a release from January 28, the city said they plan on keeping their current COVID safety measures in place until Sunday. (Masks are still mandated in some settings, including schools,hospitalsand public transit. "It's a little awkward, and I worry that I'll lose customers when I say, 'Hey, we have a mask mandate.' The situation reminds me of the sharp spikes in infection rates that occurred right after last years holiday travels during Thanksgiving and Christmas. "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. How many of them are still unvaccinated? It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. Dozens of Massachusetts schools are already mask-free. They say three quarters of Americans are immune; by March they expect the immune numbers will be higher. So many public health officials across the state believe it's safe to ease up restrictions. Join us. 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 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a mask mandate that runs through the end of February. The mask mandate for most Massachusetts public schools has been extended into January, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Tuesday. 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. 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. 2023 www.metrowestdailynews.com. Learn about mask recommendations and requirements in Massachusetts. Positive test rate has dropped sharply in recent weeks, according to state health data however, many residents are now testing with rapid kits at home, those results don't get formally reported running pandemic totals. Massachusetts doctors are now are recommending that everyone wear masks in all public indoor spaces, but Gov. Use this button to show and access all levels. by: Melissa Torres. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "Things are looking good, but we're clearly not out of the woods," noted Wildes. And hoping for stronger evidence that we have definitively turned the pandemic corner. Charlie Baker recently said he has no plans to bring back a statewide mask mandate.Dr . Abby Patkin is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. Many of his customers said they prefer the masks to be optional. And worrying about the increased risk of COVID-19 spread from the stubbornly unvaccinated who pose a public health threat. school mask mandate drops Monday, but in some districts the masks stay up for now, It's safe to unmask in many places, says the CDC. Where they are, where they aren't, and when they (might) end. 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. Governor Charlie Baker was asked if the state was considering dropping the mask mandate anytime soon. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. It helps me relax" Anne Pofcher of Beverly said. The deadline has previously been pushed back, after the mandate was issued in August. "It doesnt make sense to me because they were so emphatic about it before and now theyre saying you dont have to do anything? Billerica: Employees of the town will be required to wear masks while moving throughout the building. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Not everyone is breathing a sigh of relief that the mandates are being lifted. I had just enjoyed eating out in restaurants Id avoided before the mandate. Administrator Reports; Beach Water Quality Information; Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Pandemic Information; Emergency Preparedness. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. The City of Lowell and the town of Beverly both dropped their indoor mask mandates this week. reporter: plymouth rescinded the indoor mask mandate except for town offices. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. 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. / CBS Boston. Under Worcester's new policy, masks will still be required on public transportation, in the airport and at some other public spaces. My stance is that I think we should move towards a mask advisory rather than a mandate, said Board of Health Chair Anjali Schutt. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Feb 11, 2022 at 1:10 pm ET. "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. will stop requiring masks in public schools. With infection and hospitalization numberscoming down, are we finally turning a corner in the pandemic? Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. As the African proverb warns, Do not throw away the oars until the boat reaches the shore.. The Board of Health in Worcester, the state's second-largest city, voted 3-2 to begin phasing out the city's mandate. Whether youre required to wear a face mask depends on where you are. All rights reserved, With cases and hospitalizations both down in Massachusetts, New COVID Cases in Mass. 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. I do. Charlie Bakers recent decision to lift the mask mandate. oncology, rheumatology, immunology). 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. moves to relax mask rules, students say COVID is still taking a toll. Boston's source for local news. Use this button to show and access all levels. And some cities and towns have no requirements at all. GBH News brings you the stories, local voices, and big ideas that shape our world.