City Of Medford: Medford Board Of Health Board Unanimously Reinstates Indoor Mask Policy

Press release from the City of Medford:

December 22, 2021

The three-person board approves order requiring mask-wearing in indoor public settings in Medford and proof of vaccination at large-scale entertainment venues

MEDFORD, MA — The Medford Board of Health Board unanimously approved an order requiring face-coverings be worn by all individuals ages 5 and older while at indoor public facilities, at its monthly meeting on December 21st at City Hall. Due to the high transmission of the virus in indoor settings, the Board of Health also unanimously approved that large-scale entertainment venues, like the Chevalier Theatre, require patrons to show proof of vaccination to enter.

The order took effect at 12:01 a.m. on December 22 and will be reevaluated at the next monthly Board of Health Meeting. The Board, citing Medford public health data, noted the City had seen over 650 cases since the beginning of December, and has nearly doubled its positivity rate during that span, sitting now at over 4 percent.

“The Omicron variant poses a significant threat to people of Medford, especially those who are not vaccinated,” said Medford Board of Health Director MaryAnn O’Connor. “Vaccinations are our best defense against the virus and we are actively promoting equitable access for the community but requiring mask-wearing indoors will also help slow the spread of the virus, protect our residents and keep our businesses and restaurants open.”

The order applies to all indoor public facilities such as restaurants/bars (masks are not required to be worn when seated), offices, indoor performance and event venues (customers may only remove face coverings while eating and drinking, if permitted in the venue), hotels (in common areas), salons, dance studios and places of worship.

“While the threat of new variants is always a cause for concern, it’s important to remember that we are in a much safer position than we were at the start of the pandemic due to our high vaccination rates in Medford,” Mayor Lungo-Koehn added. “This indoor mask order will help slow the spread of the virus, but the most effective tool in protecting yourself and those close to you are vaccines. We will be expanding our vaccination efforts in January so everyone who is eligible will have easier access to getting the shot.”

The City will be holding weekly vaccination and booster shot clinics beginning on Friday, January 7 2022 at the Council on Aging from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Also, the City and the School District will be holding vaccine clinics for all eligible children ages 5 to 18 every Wednesday at Medford High School starting on January 5, 2022. Registration will be required and more information including links and clinic hours will be available on the City’s website soon.

For more info on the City’s mask policy and vaccination efforts, visit medfordma.org/coronavirus-information. Read the order here: http://www.medfordma.org/storage/2020/04/BOH_MASK_ORDER-12-21.pdf

This press release was produced by the City of Medford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.