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.
| Lowell | Starting August 16, masks are required in all municipal city buildings. |
| Sommerville | Masks are required in all public indoor spaces, including municipal buildings and schools. This does not include those who are actively eating or drinking. |
| Belmont | Starting August 9, masks must be worn by everyone over the age of 2 in public spaces, or private spaces which are opened to the public for events and gatherings. |
| Boston | Starting August 27, Masks must be worn in most public indoor spaces. This does not include places of worship, private residences, or if you are actively eating or drinking. |
| Brookline | Starting August 27, masks are required for everyone over the age of 2 in all public indoor spaces. People who are medically unable to wear a mask must be equipped with a face shield instead. Restaurant employees must also wear gloves, and masks can be removed only when actively eating or drinking. |
| Cambridge | Starting September 3, masks are required in all public indoor spaces. This includes municipal buildings, places of worship, restaurants and gyms. Masks may be removed when actively eating or drinking. |