Downtown Salem Outdoor Mask Order Stays In Effect

SALEM, MA — Visitors to downtown Salem still have to mask up indoors or outdoors for at least the next couple of weeks.

While the statewide mask mandate expired on Friday in situations where social distancing can be achieved, Salem is keeping in place the municipal mask order enacted on July 17 that requires masks be worn indoors and outdoors at all times in the downtown district unless actively eating or drinking.

This mandate also applies to city parks.

"It has not been revised at this time," the city confirmed on Friday.

The Salem Board of Health will meet on May 11 to discuss any changes. Those wishing to comment for the board's consideration can do so by emailing health@salem.com.

Gov. Charlie Baker said last week the outdoor mask mandate was being rescinded as of Friday as part of a pathway to the end of coronavirus-related business restrictions by Aug. 1 — if not sooner, as vaccination rates and lower virus metrics allow.

Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll said the next day the city will "evaluate" its own reopening timeline and be "extremely cautious and thoughtful" in its decisions.

"We're encouraged by the positive trends in the public health data and the increasing numbers of vaccinated residents," Driscoll said. "Nevertheless, as a community that has a large visitor population, we want to be extremely cautious and thoughtful in our approach to reopening."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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