Mask mandates make comebacks in Massachusetts

With the Delta variant of COVID-19 on the rise in Massachusetts, Boston and the surrounding areas are all updating their face mask requirements. Masks are to be worn in public indoor spaces and municipal buildings, as well as in some private spaces where people from varying households can gather. In schools, Education Commissioner Jeff Riley was given the greenlight to reinstate the mask requirement for K-12 schools through October 1. Masks are still required on public transportation, in MBTA stations, on rideshares such as Uber and Lyft, and on planes. This includes people who are fully vaccinated.

Overall, Massachusetts has one of the highest vaccination rates in the United States, with 75% of adults fully vaccinated. The commonwealth also has the third lowest hospitalization rate and eighth lowest case rate in the US. However, with 99.5% of reported cases being caused by the Delta Variant from August 29 - September 4, the precautionary measures being taken by local officials does not come with much surprise. As of September 8, Franklin County was the only remaining county in Massachusetts to not reach high community transmission rates on the CDC’s data tracker. 

However, compliance to these new mandates is varied within the areas, and some towns have opted not to reinstate mask requirements, such as Quincy, Malden and Waltham. 

Below is a chart with some surrounding areas that have reinstated mask mandates.