Salem To Lift Indoor Mask Mandate For Most Municipal Buildings

SALEM, MA — When the Salem Board of Health voted to align with the state in lifting most indoor mask mandates on May 29, that decision came with a caveat from city officials when it came to municipal buildings and the city's parking garages.

Starting Wednesday, many of those exceptions will be eliminated as those vaccinated will no longer have to wear masks inside most city buildings.

Mask mandates will no longer be enforced at City Hall, City Hall Annex, the Mayor Jean Levesque Community Life Center, park buildings, fire stations and Salem Police headquarters, among other municipal locations.

"Those who choose to continue to wear a mask when indoors may continue to do so," the city said. "Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks when inside any city buildings."

There remain a few exceptions.

The city said masks will still be required inside Salem Public Library and any city room or space where COVID-19 testing or vaccinations are being done — regardless of someone's vaccination status.

If no students are present, those vaccinated do not have to wear masks in Salem Public Schools buildings. Unvaccinated adults should continue to wear masks in school buildings whether students are there or not.

Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch.

(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.)

More Patch Coverage: Salem Sticks With State Of MA On Rescinding Mask Requirement

Keep That Mask On In Salem City Buildings 'Until Further Notice'