Somerville Lifting Indoor Mask Mandate Saturday

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville will join the growing number of cities and towns, including Boston, that have lifted their indoor mask requirements amid updated guidance from the CDC and Department of Public Health.

The order will be rescinded this Saturday, March 5.

Somerville's latest mandate 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