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Salems Board of Health voted unanimously to end its mask and vaccine mandates on February 7, a change that took effect immediately. 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. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. 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. Follow Abby onTwitter@AMPatkin. All key COVID-19 metrics, including deaths, cases, and . The most recent guidance says that K95, K94 and N95 masks offer the best protection. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The town is holding that meeting on February 16. community health centers and clinics or other licensed medical/clinical settings that care for patients with acute illness and/or immunocompromised patients (e.g. The State House, closed to the public for nearly two years, is finally reopening on February 22. These experts aren't quite ready, Boston municipal unions bring vaccine mandate opposition to City Council. Follow us so you don't miss a thing! 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. It's complicated. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. oncology, rheumatology, immunology). Want to know the face covering rules and restrictions in your community? All people in Massachusetts (regardless of vaccination status) are required to continue wearing face coverings in certain settings, including health care facilities . So many public health officials across the state believe it's safe to ease up restrictions. My stance is that I think we should move towards a mask advisory rather than a mandate, said Board of Health Chair Anjali Schutt. "It's a little too soon to say, 'OK, let's get rid of the masks.' Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. "It's a little awkward, and I worry that I'll lose customers when I say, 'Hey, we have a mask mandate.' Mandates have come and gone, and in some cases never arrived at all. Charlie Bakers recent decision to lift the mask mandate. Per a release from January 28, the city said they plan on keeping their current COVID safety measures in place until Sunday. Governor Charlie Baker was asked if the state was considering dropping the mask mandate anytime soon. (Masks are still mandated in some settings, including schools,hospitalsand public transit. In skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities licensed or operated by the Commonwealth: masks are required for staff and visitors. "Masks are one of the most important measures just because of the way the virus is transmitted. Marcus said it's understandable that we want to leave mask requirements behind. Meanwhile the neighboring town of Canton appears closer to lifting their mask mandate. In fact, some measures are back to where they were last fall before a surge in infections related to delta and omicron variants. And some cities and towns have no requirements at all. But while the state mandate will end soon, some school districts may continue to require masks for now. Mayor Wu, for one, is keeping BPS mask mandate for now. The state program can take a victory lap after the smash success of Wakanda Forever.. The same release said 41% of eligible city residents have received a booster shot, which was up two percent from the week prior. As is Mayor Michelle Wus recent decision to lift the mandate requiring proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars and gyms. COVID doesnt stop at every town line," Driscoll said. As of Thursday, businesses in those communities are no longer required to enforce face covering regulations. 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. 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. Beverlys mask mandate expiredat 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. We couldn't do it without you. Wearing a mask provides protection against COVID and other viruses, especially when indoors or in crowded spaces. The mask mandate remains in place in public places like buses and city buildings. - FEBRUARY 8: People wear masks ahead of discussions of lifting the mask mandate on February 8, 2022 in Boston, MA. Billerica: Employees of the town will be required to wear masks while moving throughout the building. Its not as though I dont have COVID fatigue, like millions of other Americans. Mandates Masks required in public spaces, including private businesses. 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. Virginia. Individual businesses and other facilities may still have mask mandates in place. Also, this week, the state Department of Public health relaxed its guidanceabout who should continue to wear masks and where: DPH now says people who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks in most public places, unless they or someone in their household faces a higher risk of a severe case of COVID. The requirement for K-12 public schools will now last until at least Jan. 15, 2022. 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. (Interestingly, Brooklines vax mandate applies to restaurants outdoor patios, while Bostons does not). 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 . 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. Finally, mask mandates remain in force on public transportation including MBTA buses, trains and ferries as well in state health care facilities. And some cities and towns have no requirements at all. 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. "I feel like in the winter, everyone is sick with something, whether it's COVID or not. Boston, the. Masks will still be required on buses statewide, even if theyre not mandatory in classrooms. State education officials, meanwhile, announced the end of in-school mask mandates . 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. Some page levels are currently hidden. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. (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. 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. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Keeping to small circles in which I can feel safer. "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. Feb 11, 2022 at 1:10 pm ET. I wish I felt as confident as he does. 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. So are Chelsea and Northampton. And hoping for stronger evidence that we have definitively turned the pandemic corner. Thank you for your website feedback! As you certainly know by now, Boston opted to make vaccine checks mandatory at indoor venues like restaurants and gyms in January. . Mask mandates in western Massachusetts . The mandate includes all indoor businesses and facilities open to the public. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Schutt said that while the pandemic is ending, the war against the virus has no end in sight. In skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities licensed or operated by the Commonwealth: masks are required for staff and visitors. You skipped the table of contents section. The city of Lowell and the town of Beverly are dropping their mask mandates for businesses after seeing a drop in COVID-19 infections. Data from the Department of Public Health on Friday revealed that 5,218,681 Massachusetts residents have been fully vaccinated against the virus. So again, you need to check out what your community or favorite restaurant or gym require. Masks are optional for residents as further described in DPH Guidance: Caring for Long-Term Care Residents During the COVID-19 Response. Everyday Wealth with Soledad OBrian and Jean Chatzky, Health News: Powered by Tufts Medical Center, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. "I like not having to remind people, so that's nice," she said. We will use this information to improve this page. . 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. Town of Essex, MA Essex Town Hall 30 Martin Street Essex, MA 01929. Masks are optional for staff, patients, vendors, and visitors in these settings. A lack of competition invites a focus on internal politics over the public good. Note that clicking the link below will block access to this site for 24 hours. February 28, 2022. She also said it is tough having different rules in different places. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Mask Recommendations and Requirements, is. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Here's our running. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. 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. They are still required in city buildings. Boston's K-12 students are returning to the classrooms today after school vacation week, officially Mid Winter Break. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. . Struggling to keep up with the state of play? Get all the latest from Sanditon on GBH Passport, How one Brookline studio helps artists with disabilities thrive. The mandate applies to all businesses, retail stores, restaurants, bars, clubs, fitness centers and other places of assembly.. 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. Below is a list of cities and towns where masks are required in all indoor public places: Belmont Starting Aug. 9, masks or face This requirement only applies to the worker providing care. Learn about mask recommendations and requirements in Massachusetts. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Residents and visitors are still required to wear masks on public transit, in healthcare and congregate care facilities, among others. WBZ-TV reports Worcesters leaders are going to ask the Board of Health to rescind the policy on Monday. Related:Natick implements a public mask mandate. 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. 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. Mask up:Framingham Mayor Charlie Sisitsky announces indoor mask mandate. Two years of the emotional and physical ups and downs of living with the nagging anxiety about contracting the disease. 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. 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. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 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 The decision is aimed at relaxing restrictions and boosting business at places such as Purple Carrot Bread Co. in downtown Lowell. 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. across the country lift indoor mask mandates and proof-of . ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. 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. . 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. I think, in general, we want to see a significant decrease in cases that is maintained over time.". 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. Drivers and other staff on transportation provided by the HST Brokerage system must wear masks. Meanwhile, lots of other cities and towns still require masks, though policies are changing almost daily. Download the latest advisory, updated June 10, 2022:Updated Advisory Regarding Masks and Face Coverings PDF| DOC. WORCESTER, MA This was a big week for masks in Massachusetts. 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. And worrying about the increased risk of COVID-19 spread from the stubbornly unvaccinated who pose a public health threat. Staff, patients, vendors, and visitors must all wear masks at the following sites: hospitals, emergency medical services, primary care and urgent care settings. And what about vaccine requirements elsewhere? We were unable to subscribe you to WBUR Today. 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. Beverly's mask mandate expired at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. The rules are changing daily, depending upon where you live. All rights reserved, With cases and hospitalizations both down in Massachusetts, New COVID Cases in Mass. But overall, I think it will mean a little bump in sales.". 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. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. 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. Im not ready to throw my mask away yet. 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. "It doesnt make sense to me because they were so emphatic about it before and now theyre saying you dont have to do anything? The latest numbers are good news. A lock icon ( 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. 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. 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. . If you're a scraper, please click the link below :-) reporter: plymouth rescinded the indoor mask mandate except for town offices. Bracket said business at Purple Carrot is still down about 50% from pre-COVID days. But this could all change: according to Mayor Michelle Wu, based on the latest data, the vaccine requirements could be lifted very soon. oncology, rheumatology, immunology). The Board of Health in Worcester, the state's second-largest city, voted 3-2 to begin phasing out the city's mandate. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Board Chair Dr. David Moore said a dramatic increase in the citys COVID-19 cases last week prompted action. Worcester earlier this month voted to rescind its indoor mask mandate, which takes effect on February 18. 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. The mask mandate for most Massachusetts public schools has been extended into January, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced Tuesday. Listen Live: Classic and Contemporary Celtic, Listen Live: Cape, Coast and Islands NPR Station, 'A lot of bang for your buck' with jail-based arts programs, From slams to sidewalks, poetry is alive in Greater Boston, How American English has borrowed, stolen, and evolved into an imperial language, Worcester school counselor Sean Magwire is a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse says Supreme Court needs an enforceable code of conduct. will stop requiring masks in public schools. On Monday, Worcester health officials narrowly voted to rescind their city's. Use this button to show and access all levels. Advisories Local governments are only advising people to wear masks in public.

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