Andover Following MA Lead, Reopening May 29

ANDOVER, MA — Andover will follow state guidance on lifting coronavirus restrictions, an official said Monday after the state announced most measures would end May 29.

"Andover will continue to follow state guidance related to COVID-19 protocols," Assistant Town Manager Patrick Lawlor said. "Our current case counts are the lowest they have been since last summer, and we were recently dropped to a low risk “green” community – one of the few in this region with such a designation."

>>MA Lifting All COVID-19 Restrictions May 29

State officials announced Monday that Massachusetts will lift all remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including the mask mandate, two months earlier than planned in a move that appears to signify the end of the pandemic's grip on many residents' everyday lives.

Gov. Charlie Baker said the state's mask mandate will be replaced May 29 with recent federal guidance that fully vaccinated people don't need to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors, with a few exceptions.

That day will also mark the end of all business, capacity and gathering limit restrictions in Massachusetts. Face coverings will still be mandated in a small number of places, such as nursing homes, hospitals, public and private transportation and schools, regardless of one's vaccination status.

Baker said communities and businesses that want to will be able to keep more coronavirus restrictions in place. Lawlor said Andover expects to follow the state, in light of positive recent trends in town.

The town was labeled "green" or low risk in Thursday's town-by-town state report, with a 1.07 percent positive rate and just 29 cases in the last two weeks. The positive rate was more than double that in the previous report.

As of Saturday, Andover had just seven active cases, the town reported. There have been 2,772 cases and 125 deaths.

"We will continue to monitor case counts in Andover, and continue our measured response to COVID-19, making adjustments as appropriate - and directing communications and outreach related on trends we are seeing," Lawlor said. "It is important for folks to remember to stay home when they are not feeling well."

Lawlor also noted that residents can now get vaccinated with no delays if they have not already.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.