During the February 23 Board of Health meeting, the Board voted to rescind the mask mandate effective at 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 24, 2022. As such, face coverings are no longer required in indoor public spaces within the Town of Acton.
The Board, however, strongly advises everyone to follow the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines that were issued on February 15, 2022 and are available below:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Advisory regarding face coverings
Effective February 15, 2022: A fully vaccinated individual should wear a face covering indoors if you have a weakened immune system, or 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, is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated.
Further information is available here.
In addition, if you are considered a close contact or have tested positive you will need to continue to follow the current isolation and quarantine guidance which requires wearing a mask for five (5) days after you leave isolation or quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. Full guidance can be found here.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also continues to require face coverings while on public and private transportation, including the MBTA, commuter rails, buses, ferries, rideshares, taxis and airplanes, as required by the Federal Government. In addition, they will also be required at all Health Care, Congregate care facilities, Houses of Correction, Health and Day services/programs as well as home health care services. These requirements are for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Click here for details.
Individual businesses still reserve the right to require masks if they so choose and the Board of Health asks that all residents/businesses respect those that opt to continue wearing one.
The Board of Health also advises everyone to ensure that when a face covering is worn to wear a proper face covering and follow COVID safety protocols that include social distancing, washing of hands, staying home if you are sick, monitoring your health, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning, disinfecting and obtaining the vaccine and/or booster dose when eligible. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing you from getting severe illness, preventing hospitalizations and death. Please do your part in helping to slow the spread.