Newton to end indoor mask mandate on Feb. 18

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said today that residents and visitors can free their faces indoors starting next Friday - although she added that individual businesses can still require patrons to don masks.

In e-mail to residents today, Fuller said she and Human Services Commissioner Linda Walsh decided it was time to lift the mandate because more than 95% of Newton residents over 5 have gotten at least one shot, the omicron surge is collapsing, as shown by rapidly declining Covid-19 numbers over the past month and Covid-19 hospitalization rates statewide are going down.

While the City of Newton will no longer be requiring masks at the end of next week in indoor public places, we support people who may choose to wear a mask. People have many reasons and circumstances for choosing to wear a mask, including vaccination status, desire to have an extra layer of defense against infection, being in a crowded gathering, visiting vulnerable family or friends, or living with someone who is immunocompromised.

Individual businesses and employers may also choose to require masks in their establishments.