[title]
Get ready to see a whole lot of faces as you savor this summer in Boston because we just got the green light to go maskless. Governor Charlie Baker announced that as of May 29, Massachusetts will be lifting its mask mandate for folks who are fully vaccinated and ending all remaining COVID restrictions.
While sharing updates to the state’s reopening plans on Monday, Baker said that Mass is taking its cues from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its announcement last week. In line with CDC’s guidance, people who are vaccinated won’t have to wear face coverings or practice social distancing in most indoor and outdoor settings starting Memorial Day weekend.
“We are now prepared and protected, and we can move forward together,” Baker said.
Before you get too excited, there are a few exceptions to these upcoming mask-free allowances: Everyone will still be required to don a mask when using the T and Commuter Rail, in addition to all forms of private transportation like rideshares and taxis; anyone entering a hospital, health care, rehab or nursing home facility will also have to continue to keep their mouths and noses covered; and both students and staff members within schools—K-12 and early education—will have to continue wearing a face covering whenever indoors.
Despite the state government loosening these overall COVID requirements, Baker emphasized that restaurants, bars and other businesses are still allowed to set their own rules regarding masks and capacity limits. So before you go out—whether it’s to grab a drink at one of our stunning rooftop establishments, to sit down on one of sunny outdoor patios or to throw back bloodies at one of our best brunch spots—be mindful that you might still have to sport a mask, per the proprietor’s request.
Baker shared that individuals who have yet to be completely vaccinated are strongly asked to continue to wear masks and social distance whenever in public. He said that they are still at risk of getting coronavirus and should take these necessary precautions until they are able to receive the vaccine.