Peabody Closes In On 60% Vaccinated With Restrictions Set to Lift

PEABODY, MA — With coronavirus rates low and city vaccinations on the rise, Peabody residents can prepare to move with the state toward the elimination of most coronavirus-related restrictions within the next two weeks.

Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt noted on Monday that 57 percent of city residents had received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine and that those who are vaccinated can enjoy the extra freedoms when most virus-related restrictions end on May 29.

"We no longer have to distance ourselves from other people," Bettencourt said. "We can travel in the U.S. without having to test or quarantine. We can do all the great things that make summer in New England so spectacular.

"Please protect yourself, your loved ones, and our entire community by getting vaccinated as soon as you can."

Across the region, 50 percent of the 10 communities that make up the North Shore Coalition for a Safe Summer are fully vaccinated with 62 percent having received at least one dose.

The state will also lift the need for face coverings when playing youth sports and being outside of schools for recess as of Tuesday, as well as relax restrictions on touching common items at schools such as books or toys.

Peabody Superintendent of Schools Josh Vadala acknowledged the revised state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidelines and said the district is reviewing the new information.

"We are excited about the news from Gov. Baker regarding the COVID-19 protocols in Massachusetts," Vadala said. "We will review the guidelines and share more detailed information with families soon about how this impacts school procedures moving forward."

One thing that has not yet changed is face coverings when it comes to school sports.

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association spokesperson Tara Bennett told Patch the MIAA Board of Directions is working with the state on new guidelines, but for at least the time being the rules surrounding school sports have not changed.

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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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MA Lifting All COVID-19 Restrictions May 29