Brookline Outdoor Mask Mandate Still In Place

BROOKLINE, MA — Friday was the first day that Massachusetts residents did not have to wear face coverings when outside, except in Brookline.

Brookline's more restrictive outdoor face covering mandate will stay in place, Town Manager Mel Kleckner and Health Commissioner Dr. Swannie Jett said Friday evening.

"Out of an abundance of caution and in our residents' best interests, the Town of Brookline will not follow suit with the state's decision to lift the outdoor mask mandate today," Jett said. "Our face covering requirement has served as a protective layer that limits the possibility of spreading COVID-19 and we are reluctant to relax it at this time without further public input and review by the Advisory Council on Public Health."

Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday that the state would lift the face coverings mandate and would only be required outside in public when it is not possible to stay out of crowds or keep a distance.

Brookline is not the only community that said it would not stick to the timeline Baker laid out this week for lifting business restrictions and easing mask mandates. Somerville, Boston and Salem also indicated they were taking a slower take to the mandates.

The town will revisit the mandate at the next Advisory Council on Public Health meeting, according to officials.