The city of Cambridge issued an emergency order requiring masks or coatings to be worn in indoor public places. The order enters into force at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021. It applies to all persons over the age of two, with exceptions in connection with the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the guidelines from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
“I am grateful to everyone at Cambridge for taking our public health guidance seriously, for getting vaccinated, and for helping to protect themselves and our community,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale . “With the rapid rise of the Delta variant, we are issuing this mask order for indoor public places to reduce the spread of the virus and protect those who live, work, learn or visit our city. As we have done throughout the pandemic , we will take an informed and scientific approach to our response to the pandemic. “
For purposes of this order, indoor public places include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Retail establishments
- Restaurants and bars, except actively eating or drinking
- Performance spaces
- Social clubs
- Houses of worship
- Spaces for events
- Municipal buildings
- Personal care establishments
- Fitness establishments
Despite a significant reduction in deaths and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in Massachusetts and a high proportion of vaccinated residents in the Commonwealth relative to other states, COVID-19 cases are on an upward trajectory in Cambridge, neighboring communities and the Commonwealth.
The appearance of new infections in Cambridge and the state corresponds to the appearance of the Delta variant, highly contagious, now the dominant variant in the United States. The current forecast from the Centers for Disease Control is that the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) accounts for 86% of new infections in New England and the country.
“With the reopening of schools and the increase in COVID-19 cases due to the highly infectious Delta variant, instituting this mask mandate for covered public places is a critical measure to help minimize the spread of the virus.” said the mayor, Sumbul Siddiqui.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone in areas with high or substantial COVID-19 transmission wear face shields when in indoor public places regardless of vaccination status. Currently, the level of community transmission is “substantial” in Cambridge and “high” in Middlesex County.
“Although COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and do an excellent job of preventing serious illness and death, they do not always prevent a fully vaccinated person from becoming infected and spreading the virus. others, ”said Susan Breen, EM, RN, the city’s interim director of public health. “Masks offer another important layer of protection. Wearing a mask indoors when away from home, regardless of vaccination status, will help you stay healthy and with the community. ”
You can find the full text of the emergency order here.
You can find more information and frequently asked questions about face covers at www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/facecoverings.
All residents are encouraged to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines continue to be offered at many CVS and other drugstores, as well as at Star Market pharmacies. Locations can be found at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov or www.vaccines.gov. Residents are reminded that the City of Cambridge currently provides free COVID-19 testing three days a week and will be expanded to four days a week beginning September 8, 2021. Information about the city testing program is available at www.cambridgema.gov/testing.
There are also several ways to test yourself. To find other testing options, visit www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing. This site allows users to search for tests by zip code and also provides information on COVID-19 home tests that can be ordered online.
For more information and regular updates to COVID-19, visit www.cambridgema.gov/covid19 to sign up for the Cambridge City Daily Email Updates.