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The city of Cambridge has issued an emergency order requiring face masks or blankets to be worn in indoor public places. The order takes effect at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 3, 2021. It applies to anyone over the age of two, with exceptions according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
“I am grateful to everyone in Cambridge who took our public health advice seriously, got vaccinated and did their part to protect themselves and our community,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “With the rapid rise of the Delta variant, we are releasing this order for masks 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 a data and science-based approach to our response to the pandemic. “
For the purposes of this order, indoor public places include, but are not limited to:
- Retail establishments
- Restaurants and bars – except while actively eating or drinking
- Performance venues
- Social clubs
- Places of worship
- Event spaces
- Municipal buildings
- Personal care facilities
- Fitness establishments
Despite a significant reduction in deaths and hospitalizations from COVID-19 in Massachusetts and a high proportion of residents vaccinated in the Commonwealth compared to other states, COVID-19 cases are on an upward trajectory in Cambridge, in communities neighboring countries and in the Commonwealth.
The increase in new infections in Cambridge and the state corresponds to the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, now the dominant variant in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control’s current projected estimate is that the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) accounts for 86% of new infections in New England and the country.
“With schools reopening and COVID-19 cases increasing due to the highly infectious delta variant, instituting this mask mandate for indoor public places is a critical measure to help minimize the spread of the disease. virus, ”said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone in areas of high or substantial transmission of COVID-19 wear face covers in indoor public places, regardless of vaccination status. Currently, the level of community transmission is “substantial” in Cambridge and “high” in Middlesex County.
“While COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and do a great job of preventing serious illness and death, they do not always prevent a fully vaccinated person from being infected and spreading the virus to others. others, ”said Susan Breen, MS, IA, the City’s Acting Chief Public Health Officer. “Masks provide another important layer of protection. Wearing a mask indoors when outside the home, regardless of immunization status, will help keep you and the community healthy. ”
The full text of the emergency order is available here.
More information and frequently asked questions about face coverings are available at www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/facecoverings.
All residents are encouraged to get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines continue to be available at many CVS and other pharmacies, as well as Star Market in-store pharmacies. Locations can be found at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov or www.vaccines.gov. Residents are reminded that the City of Cambridge is currently offering free COVID-19 testing three days a week and will increase to four days a week starting September 8, 2021. Information on the city’s testing schedule is available at www .cambridgema.gov / testing.
There are also several other ways to get tested. To find other testing options, visit www.mass.gov/covid-19-testing. This site allows individuals to search for tests by zip code and also provides information on home COVID-19 tests which can be ordered online.
For more information and regular COVID-19 updates, visit www.cambridgema.gov/covid19 to sign up for the City of Cambridge’s daily email updates.
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