Somerville Board Of Health Calls Special Meeting On Mask Mandate

SOMERVILLE, MA — As cities and towns across the state lift their face covering mandates amid updated guidance from the CDC and Department of Public Health, health officials in Somerville will revisit the city's indoor mask policy.

The latest order has been in effect since August and applies to everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Masks are required in all indoor public spaces and may only be removed "when people are actively eating and drinking," according to the order.

Earlier this month, the state DPH eased its face covering guidance for fully vaccinated residents, saying indoor masking is only necessary for people who have a weakened immune system, are at increased risk of severe disease because of their age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in their household is at increased risk or is unvaccinated.

The CDC updated its own guidance on Friday and no longer recommends masking in counties at "low" or "medium" risk of COVID-19 transmission, meaning about 70 percent of Americans will be able to shed their masks while indoors.

The Somerville Board of Health has scheduled a special meeting on the indoor mask mandate for Thursday, March 3 at 6 p.m. For information about joining the meeting, visit somervillema.gov/BOHMarch3.