Mask Mandate Back For Wayland Public Buildings

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland is joining many other local cities in towns in reestablishing a mask mandate. All visitors to town buildings will now have to wear a face covering, a requirement that vanished earlier this summer as vaccines promised an end to the pandemic.

But cases in Massachusetts, Middlesex County and Wayland have been on the rise recently due to the delta variant. Wayland has picked up 26 new coronavirus cases since Aug. 2 — nine of those were detected over just the weekend alone, according to town officials.

"With this recent uptick and the rise of the delta variant, the Wayland Health Director reminds everyone to stay vigilant, continue to follow safe practices to ensure prevention, and urges all who are eligible to get the vaccine if not already done so," a Wednesday news release said.

Massachusetts added almost 1,400 new cases Wednesday, the highest daily amount since April. And although vaccines are effective at stopping serious illnesses related to delta, vaccinated people can still get sick and spread the virus, according to health officials. Getting a vaccine and wearing a mask are thought to be the two best defenses against illness.

Nearby, Framingham, Worcester and Belmont have all instituted new mask mandates for public buildings. Private businesses do not have to require masks — the state requirement expired on May 29 — but some national chains, including Home Depot and Walmart, are strongly urging customers to mask up as delta spreads.