Sudbury Health Board Says Wear Masks — Everywhere

SUDBURY, MA — It was a comfortable few weeks we had when masks weren't necessary — but that time is likely over now.

The Sudbury Board of Health this week issued an advisory — not a mandate — saying that town residents should wear a face covering in any public setting, from grocery stores to Town Hall. Other local communities, including Framingham and Wayland, have brought back mask mandates, but only for municipal buildings.

Coronavirus cases have been rising in recent weeks locally and across the state, largely due to the highly contagious delta variant. Cases were on the rise in about two-thirds of communities across Massachusetts over the past week, including Sudbury: the town reported 15 new cases over the last two weeks, higher than the previous period, according to state data.

Sudbury's mask advisory applies to anyone over age two and covers places like retail stores, gyms, churches and restaurants.

Health officials are also reminding residents that coronavirus vaccines are the best defense against the delta variant. There are multiple vaccine sites in and near Sudbury.