Brookline To Reinstate Mask Mandate In Indoor Town-Owned Spaces

BROOKLINE, MA — The Town of Brookline is reinstating face-covering requirements in town-owned indoor spaces where the public gathers due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, according to Health Commissioner Sigalle Reiss.

Beginning Monday, May 23, every individual will be required to wear a face-covering over their mouth and nose while indoors, including at the Public Library of Brookline, the Senior Center, all public schools, and any other public indoor space owned by the town.

The Brookline Advisory Council on Public Health (ACPH) reviewed COVID-19 case data among Brookline Public School students and staff, and compared those rates to other school districts in Massachusetts that did not lift mask requirements, Reiss said. The ACPH agreed that a temporary reinstatement would be an important mitigation measure to limit disease spread and reduce disruptions due to student and staff absenteeism.

In addition, for the past several weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designated Norfolk, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties as a high-risk area for COVID-19 transmission.

The town will reassess the need for masking weekly by reviewing county- and town-wide COVID-19 case numbers, community transmission risk, and other data.

“We consistently look at COVID-19 data trends and hope this is a short-term requirement following CDC guidance for counties designated as high risk. The Department will lift the mask requirement once Norfolk County drops to the CDC moderate or low COVID-19 risk levels, or Brookline-specific data suggests that we are no longer in a surge,” Reiss said in a statement.

To view the full order, click here.