The city of Lowell and the town of Beverly are dropping their mask mandates for businesses after seeing a drop in COVID-19 infections. 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. My stance is that I think we should move towards a mask advisory rather than a mandate, said Board of Health Chair Anjali Schutt. This map shows the COVID-19 level in each Massachusetts community, according to the CDC's new system. For example, Worcester voted to end its indoor mask requirement starting Friday. 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.. "It's a little awkward, and I worry that I'll lose customers when I say, 'Hey, we have a mask mandate.' A lock icon ( 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. . The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has a mask mandate that runs through the end of February. The state program can take a victory lap after the smash success of Wakanda Forever.. 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. This requirement only applies to the worker providing care. Where should you wear a mask indoors? This map shows the COVID-19 level Wearing a mask provides protection against COVID and other viruses, especially when indoors or in crowded spaces. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. Boston requires all city workers get vaccinated, which has prompted push-back and legal fights from some public employee unions. 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 . Two years of the emotional and physical ups and downs of living with the nagging anxiety about contracting the disease. 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 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. Use this button to show and access all levels. 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. Learn about mask recommendations and requirements in Massachusetts. These experts aren't quite ready, Boston municipal unions bring vaccine mandate opposition to City Council. Boston may not be requiring masks anymore, but many say they'll keep "It's a lot easier to breathe, said owner Alaina Bracket. But this could all change: according to Mayor Michelle Wu, based on the latest data, the vaccine requirements could be lifted very soon. Boston's K-12 students are returning to the classrooms today after school vacation week, officially Mid Winter Break. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The State House, closed to the public for nearly two years, is finally reopening on February 22. You skipped the table of contents section. The owner of City Eats on Cabot Street was ecstatic to openThursday morningwith the mandate no longer in place. 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. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. It helps me relax" Anne Pofcher of Beverly said. Natick MA indoor mask mandate to end Feb. 28 - MetroWest Daily News Masks Down? Massachusetts Cities And Towns Consider Dropping Mask Mandates Which Massachusetts cities and towns are requiring masks? Not every school is ready for that just . But he is worried some communities might be rolling back these protections too soon. 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 no longer mandated in these 42 Massachusetts schools 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. Youll have to wear a mask to drop by. Town of Essex, MA Essex Town Hall 30 Martin Street Essex, MA 01929. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. Charlie Bakers administration is "not considering a universal mask mandate at this time.". The town is holding that meeting on February 16. 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. I think I will be wearing it for a while," Arlene Dacey of Beverly said. Updated: Jan 7, 2022 / 06:13 PM EST. The most recent guidance says that K95, K94 and N95 masks offer the best protection. Framingham was among several communities torecently issuemask mandates, with Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and the Board of Health issuing a joint order last Friday. As cities and towns drop their mask mandates, could schools be next? Things could be changing pretty soon, though, as officials are outlining the metrics theyd like to see before phasing out mandates. WBZ-TV reports Worcesters leaders are going to ask the Board of Health to rescind the policy on Monday. Dozens of Massachusetts schools are already mask-free. Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images. By a 3-2 margin, the panel . The U.S. States That Are Ending Mask Mandates (Published 2022) No doubt full of cautious customers like me drawn by the extra precaution. Mandates have come and gone, and in some cases never arrived at all. Dont expect those rules to go anywhere anytime soonyou may not want to relax your policy of stuffing spare masks into coat pockets. But overall, I think it will mean a little bump in sales.". Download the latest advisory, updated June 10, 2022: Please do not include personal or contact information. oncology, rheumatology, immunology). So are Chelsea and Northampton. That includes Boston, Chelsea and Northampton schools. The City of Lowell and the town of Beverly both dropped their indoor mask mandates this week. . 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. Mask mandates in MetroWest MA: What you need to know - MetroWest Daily News Data from the Department of Public Health on Friday revealed that 5,218,681 Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated against the virus. As is Mayor Michelle Wus recent decision to lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. Where they are, where they aren't, and when they (might) end. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Plenty more have followed since. Thank you! So, if you are unsure of what the requirement is where you live, you should check your local health department's website. '"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. / CBS Boston. She also said it is tough having different rules in different places. And. Another Mass. town brings back indoor mask mandate in effort to - WHDH Worcester rescinds city mask mandate; other towns also lifting Some places, like Medford, Malden, and Melrose, require masks only in municipal buildings. 2 more Massachusetts communities drop their mask mandate Drivers and other staff on transportation provided by the HST Brokerage system must wear masks. Editor's Note: We have stopped updating this list as of Nov. 23. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft both require that drivers and riders wear masks. Lowell also let its mask mandate expire. Anthony Brooks Twitter Senior Political ReporterAnthony Brooks is WBUR's senior political reporter. Support GBH. 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. 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. What is wrong with waiting for that important marker? 2 min read. For people with disabilities needing assistance with the Public Files, contact Glenn Heath at 617-300-3268. Individual businesses can implement their own mandates,. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. will stop requiring masks in public schools. I know the restauranteurs said the vax proof mandate drove away customers, but the restaurants I visited were full. Other communities have pushed further and declared a mask mandate in all indoor spaces. Callie Crossley hosts Under the Radar with Callie Crossley and shares radio essays each Monday on GBHs Morning Edition. How Mask Policies Have Changed In MA Towns, Cities - Yahoo News 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, , . Follow us so you don't miss a thing! 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. Im prepared to be an outlier. 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. Virginia. 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. The City of Lowell and the town of Beverly both dropped their indoor mask mandates this week. 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. 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. Under Worcester's new policy, masks will still be required on public transportation, in the airport and at some other public spaces. Youll also need either proof of vaccination or a negative test taken no more than a day in advance. Drivers and other staff on transportation provided by the HST Brokerage system must wear masks. No Yes. I seriously cant believe were about to mark two years of the pandemic. So has Salem, where the Board of Health voted unanimously to end both its mask and vaccine mandates. lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. Freestanding, outpatient behavioral health settings are not subject to the requirements of this Order. Together, we can create a more connected and informed world. 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 will still be required on buses statewide, even if theyre not mandatory in classrooms. Mayor Wu, for one, is keeping BPS mask mandate for now. Struggling to keep up with the state of play? Check storefronts and online before heading out without a mask. Private parochial schools in Boston have said they will not keep mask mandates in place past that date. Im not ready to throw my mask away yet. Worcester earlier this month voted to rescind its indoor mask mandate, which takes effect on February 18. Chan School of Public Health. . 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. A lack of competition invites a focus on internal politics over the public good. Billerica: Employees of the town will be required to wear masks while moving throughout the building. The keys to staying connected to your kids this pandemic school year. The rules are changing daily, depending upon where you live. Keeping to small circles in which I can feel safer. Please check with your local government for the mask rules in your community. Even if mandates are ending, masks are still a good way to protect yourself from inhaling respiratory droplets that carry coronavirus. Massachusetts schools and cities are dropping mask mandates. Why are we Other cities in recent days have been weighing whether to join them. Yet while some states, including California and New York, require most people to wear masks indoors in public places, Massachusetts has held out. 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. Per a release from January 28, the city said they plan on keeping their current COVID safety measures in place until Sunday. Advisories Local governments are only advising people to wear masks in public. State education officials, meanwhile, announced the end of in-school mask mandates by Feb. 28, although local districts will get to decide if masks stay after that date. Download the latest advisory, updated June 10, 2022:Updated Advisory Regarding Masks and Face Coverings PDF| DOC. 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.. The decision is aimed at relaxing restrictions and boosting business at places such as Purple Carrot Bread Co. in downtown Lowell. How many of them are still unvaccinated? Heres a town-by-town breakdown of local mask policies: Note: The following towns also require masks in all municipal buildings. 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. 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. Some towns and cities have community-wide mask requirements. Thank you for your website feedback! "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. Whether youre required to wear a face mask depends on where you are. 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. Not everyone is breathing a sigh of relief that the mandates are being lifted. Kanton Mathis' 12-year-old son Eric wants to wear his mask at his Decatur, Georgia, school, where masks are now optional . A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. New metrics for rolling back the rules are here, or theyre on the way. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. How kids are navigating schools where masks are optional | CNN Thank you! 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. 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. By February 15, ICU bed capacity had already dropped to 90 percent, there were 278 hospitalizations a day, and the community positivity rate was at 5.4 percent. Stream GBH's Award-Winning Content For Parents And Children. Dozens of Massachusetts schools are already mask-free. . Staff, patients, vendors, and visitors must all wear masks at the following sites: hospitals, emergency medical services, primary care and urgent care settings. The mandate applies to all businesses, retail stores, restaurants, bars, clubs, fitness centers and other places of assembly.. The deadline has previously been pushed back, after the mandate was issued in August. The Board of Health in Worcester, the state's second-largest city, voted 3-2 to begin phasing out the city's mandate. In skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities licensed or operated by the Commonwealth: masks are required for staff and visitors. 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. 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. Staff, patients, vendors, and visitors must all wear masks at the following sites: hospitals, emergency medical services, primary care and urgent care settings.

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