LYNN — The city announced on Wednesday that it is rescinding its indoor-mask mandate, effective immediately.
Based on feedback from local public-health and health-care leaders, as well as improving public-health numbers in the community, the city’s executive order that was put in place in December requiring face coverings be worn indoors has been repealed.
However, all Lynn businesses and public spaces are still free to establish their own safety requirements for entry by customers, staff, and the public. Those entering any establishment with its own safety rules and standards for service should continue to follow those rules and respect the business owners, their employees, and fellow customers.
The vaccination rate in Lynn and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts exceeds the national average, and the city said it has seen a “significant reduction” in COVID-19-positive tests within the past month.
As of Jan. 29, 81 percent (81,922) of Lynn’s residents had received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine; 71 percent (71,129) of residents were fully vaccinated; and 27 percent (26,822) of residents had received their boosters.
Between Jan. 16-29, 11,323 COVID-19 tests were distributed with a 15.99-percent-positivity rate.
“COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine boosters are highly effective at protecting against serious illness, hospitalization and death, and every individual who is eligible and works, studies, or resides in Massachusetts is strongly urged to get vaccinated and boosted,” the city said in the order rescinding the mask mandate. “The City of Lynn is committed to continuing to support and provide COVID-19 vaccines to the community.”
This order may change based on public-health data and further guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
