Will MA Mask Mandate Change Following CDC? Gov.’s Office Gives Update

Hours after federal mask rules were eased indoors and outdoors for people who are fully vaccinated, the Baker administration announced how it would proceed in Massachusetts.

For now, there won't be any change to the Bay State's mask order, which was recently relaxed for people outdoors. But the administration will update its restrictions soon, Gov. Charlie Baker's press secretary said Thursday.

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"The Administration welcomes the new CDC guidance and will be updating Massachusetts’ COVID restrictions in the near future. In the meantime, the current mask order remains in place," press secretary Sarah Finlaw said in a statement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new mask-wearing guidance on Thursday.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had earlier Thursday said people who are fully vaccinated -- meaning two weeks after their final shot -- no longer need to wear masks in many situations.

"The CDC is following a science-based approach and as new data comes out, they’re changing their guidance," Dr. Sabrina Assoumou of the Boston Medical Center said. "But I think travel, and those particular settings are still more likely to have people in crowds and we know crowds are places where you have higher risk of getting COVID.”

After the announcement, Gov. Ned Lamont of nearby Connecticut announced that the state will adopt the CDC's mask rules May 19.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said his state would "follow suit," but said there would be an update Friday morning.

Vaccines work. The new masking guidance from the CDC is incredibly encouraging. We are reviewing it and Vermont will follow suit. We will discuss our updates at tomorrow’s 11:00 a.m. COVID-19 response media briefing. #OurShotVT
— Governor Phil Scott (@GovPhilScott) May 13, 2021

It seems the hustle and bustle of Boston is building itself back, and the scales have tipped on outdoor comfortability without masks. Saturday, many roamed maskless, and Gov. Charlie Baker says that's okay when outside and six feet apart.

Baker traveled to Washington, D.C., Thursday for a set of meetings through Friday, including with the White House's COVID response czar, Massachusetts congressional delegation and national guard troops helping to guard the Capitol.

Finlaw added in her statement Thursday, "The Commonwealth is leading the nation in the vaccination effort and the Administration will continue to make vaccines available to everyone who lives, works or studies in Massachusetts."