Massachusetts no longer recommending masks for most vaccinated people

Vaccinated people are no longer recommended to mask-up indoors in Massachusetts unless they or a family member have a weakened immune system, the state Department of Public Health announced, citing “improvement” in coronavirus metrics.

“Recognizing that Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccine acceptance, and in light of recent improvements in COVID-19 indicators, DPH now advises that a fully vaccinated person should wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home) 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 and is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated,” DPH said in a statement announcing the updated guidance on Tuesday.

Unvaccinated people should continue to mask-up indoors “to help prevent spreading COVID-19,” the department continued.

Masks are still required for everyone in certain settings like public transportation and in health care facilities, per federal rules.

The loosed guidance around masks comes as as virus levels have taken a dramatic dip in recent weeks and the statewide positivity rate has slipped to around 3%.

Gov. Charlie Baker brought back a face mask advisory for everyone in late December as the highly contagious omicron variant triggered a sharp spike in COVID cases.

The Republican governor, however, stopped short of a full mandate, instead choosing to allow cities and towns to take action to impose requirements based on their virus metrics — a decision that spurred criticism from the public health community and many Democrats.

Dozens of cities and towns across the state — including Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Salem and more all require masks in indoor public settings. Boston, Brookline and a handful of other communities are also requiring proof of full vaccination to enter bars, restaurants, museums, concert halls, stadiums and most other indoor establishments.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has said she wants to ramp city coronavirus mandates down eventually as the science allows, but last week said “we’re not there yet” when it comes to ending mask and vaccine requirements.

Anyone who tests positive or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 must follow the isolation and quarantine guidance which includes wearing a mask in public for 5 more days after leaving isolation or quarantine on Day 5, regardless of vaccination status.

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from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/ZoYmHF1