Brookline To Require Covid Vaccination Proof For Some Businesses

BROOKLINE, MA — The Town of Brookline will implement a vaccine requirement at a wide variety of businesses, including restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues, beginning next weekend.

The new regulation will take a phased approach beginning with a soft rollout on Saturday, Jan. 15, when all visitors ages 12 and up will need proof they've received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. By May 1, all visitors ages 5 and older will be required to present proof of full vaccination.

"This approach helps to protect our entire community as we approach the start of the third year of a pandemic that's touched all of our lives,” said Interim Health Commissioner Pat Maloney in a statement. "I want to thank the Advisory Council on Public Health and the Select Board for their leadership on this issue.”

"By implementing this regulation, Brookline is doing its part to mitigate a continuing surge that is stretching our healthcare system to its limits, because vaccination is proven to severely limit the potential for hospitalization due to COVID-19,” he continued.

Brookline's vaccine requirement will take full effect on Saturday, Jan. 22, with violators facing fines of $300 per violation, said Maloney. It will not affect K-12 schools, childcare programs, senior centers, community centers or non-commercial municipal functions and does not apply to sites that are not open to the general public.

Visitors to covered businesses can provide proof of vaccination in a number of ways, including a digital image of a CDC card, another official immunization record, a photo of the card, a letter or report from a health care provider, or a vaccination verification smartphone application.

To find out where you can be vaccinated or get a booster shot, visit vaxfinder.mass.gov.