Brookline Lifts Mask Mandate In Indoor Town-Owned Spaces

BROOKLINE, MA — The Town of Brookline has lifted the face covering requirement in town-owned buildings where the public gathers, according to Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss.

The mandate was reinstated on May 23 due to rising COVID-19 statistics and Norfolk County being deemed a high-risk area for transmission.

The decision to lift the mask requirement was based on a review of COVID-19 data including declining local case counts, hospital admissions and hospital capacity, wastewater data, Public Schools of Brookline case counts, and vaccine and testing resources.

In addition, as of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has transitioned Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties as a low-risk area for COVID-19 transmission.

“We are seeing a consistent week over week drop in our weekly community case counts, as well as significant drops in our school case numbers,” Reiss said in a statement. "The Department will continue to watch the data with our community partners to respond to the changing COVID trends.”

According to Brookline health officials, individual organizations in the town can still require masks and masking is still mandatory in healthcare facilities.

Residents also should continue to wear a mask if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, tested positive, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.