February 23, 2022
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Bri Eichstaedt, REHS/RS, Health Director
Beichstaedt@easthamptonma.gov
Easthampton Board of Health Lifts Mask Mandate Effective Wednesday, February 23, 2022
On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, the Board of Health voted to lift its current mask mandate effective Wednesday, February 23, 2022. This decision was made after a steady decrease in cases, signifying the city is likely on the other side of the Omicron surge. Additionally, the city has a high vaccination rate with 90% of residents with at least one dose, 80.1% fully vaccinated, and 50.5% fully vaccinated & boosted.
The Board of Health will align its recommendations with the current MA Department of Public Health (DPH) advisory. The MA DPH updated its mask advisory on February 15, 2022, to no longer advise all individuals to mask indoors. The updated guidance recommends unvaccinated individuals mask while indoors, and individuals who are fully vaccinated wear a mask if they have a weakened immune system, are at an increased risk for severe illness, or if someone in their household has a weakened immune system or is unvaccinated.
As a reminder, the MA DPH requires masks to be worn, regardless of vaccination status, for the following settings/individuals:
• On public & private transportation
• Healthcare facilities
• Congregate care facilities
• Emergency shelter programs
• Correctional facilities
• Health care, day services, and programs operated, licensed, certified, regulated, or funded by the Commonwealth, including the Executive Office of Health and Human Services or one of its agencies
• Home health care workers
To view the MA DPH’s current mask advisory, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-mask-requirements#mask-advisory-for-vaccinated-and-unvaccinated-residents-