Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller Joins Coronavirus Response Coalition

NEWTON, MA — Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller is one of 17 Greater Boston mayors and city managers who released a joint statement Friday agreeing to support safety policies aimed at combating the Delta variant of COVID-19.

The policies included in the statement include requiring masks in public schools until at least the end of 2021, facilitating ongoing COVID-19 testing in public schools, considering pursuing proof of vaccination or regular testing for municipal workers, and encouraging indoor masking in public spaces.

"For the past several weeks, COVID-19 case numbers have climbed steadily across the nation due to the more transmissible Delta variant," says the statement. "We are encouraged that Massachusetts has among the nation’s highest vaccination rates and has therefore experienced less serious impacts of this new variant than other states in our nation."

"Nevertheless, we remain deeply concerned about the Delta variant and its potential public health impacts, especially among residents who are not yet vaccinated, residents who are vulnerable because of their age or health status, and children who are below the allowable age for vaccination," it continues.

The statement says the signatories will continue to work with state and federal officials to adjust their COVID-19 guidance in accordance with emerging scientific data, encourage and help all residents get vaccinated and make sure testing remains available.

"We are committed to providing clear and consistent guidance for our residents, grounded in the most up-to-date data and science," said the mayors.

To read the full statement and view a complete list of signatories, click here.