Brookline To Require Masks Inside Municipal Buildings

BROOKLINE, MA — Brookline will require all members of the public to wear masks inside municipal buildings beginning Monday, August 9, said the town in a news release Wednesday.

The new face covering guidance is a response to a steady increase in COVID-19 cases over the last few weeks as the Delta variant wreaks havoc in Brookline and across Massachusetts.

“With COVID-19 cases in Brookline steadily climbing, we decided that the town needed to reassess the current building protocols and take this step to ensure the continued safety of residents and staff,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett in a statement. “We ask that residents wear masks inside public town buildings, but we also encourage residents to get vaccinated in order to protect their family, friends and neighbors from the virus.”

Staff members will continue to wear masks when interacting with the public and in all common areas of town buildings, said Jett. Residents are encouraged to visit the town's website to access many virtual offerings whenever possible.

The town is encouraging residents to get vaccinated if they have not already done so. Although the Delta variant is causing some breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals, the majority of COVID-19 hospitalizations and death are among unvaccinated individuals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Updates on COVID-19 guidelines in Brookline can be found here. To find a location to get vaccinated, click here.