Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and Newton Health and Human Services Commissioner Linda Walsh introduced the removing of the indoor masks mandate for public areas efficient on the finish of the day on Feb. 18, in accordance to an e mail replace from Fuller on Feb. 11.
Fuller and Walsh rescinded the mandate, in impact since Sept. 2, 2021, due to a wide range of components, Fuller wrote within the replace.
One issue Fuller highlighted is that over 95 p.c of Newton residents age 5 and older have at the very least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 88 p.c of residents are totally vaccinated as of Feb. 1, in accordance to the Newton COVID-19 dashboard.
This excessive vaccination fee can be current in Newton Public Schools (NPS), Fuller wrote. Eighty p.c of elementary college college students have obtained at the very least one dose of the vaccine, whereas 74 p.c have at the very least two doses.
COVID-19 circumstances in Newton proceed to decline, signaling the tip of the Omicron surge, in accordance to Fuller. The Newton COVID-19 dashboard studies a positivity fee of three.6 p.c as of Feb. 5, down from a peak of 13.2 p.c on Jan. 8.
Another issue that Walsh and Fuller thought-about is the present availability of at-home COVID-19 exams, that are lined by way of medical health insurance, Fuller wrote.
Fuller famous that companies and employers can nonetheless require masks within their buildings, because the mandate applies solely to public areas. NPS has not but introduced a choice about whether or not it can rescind or proceed its masks mandate.
Fuller stated that whereas the town will rescind the mandate, she helps those that select to proceed to put on a masks.
“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,” Fuller wrote.
Following a constructive COVID-19 check, the CDC recommends carrying a masks after a five-day isolation interval. The CDC additionally recommends carrying masks on college buses, public transportation, and rideshare providers, amongst different settings, in accordance to the replace.
The Newton Health and Human Services division additionally recommends practices that assist forestall the unfold of COVID-19, corresponding to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot, staying dwelling when sick, utilizing a check when displaying signs, and sustaining basic hygiene, in accordance to the replace.
Featured Image by Keara Hanlon / Heights Senior Staff