Boston’s indoor mask mandate takes effect

BOSTON — If you are heading into the city this weekend take note that you now have to wear a mask in all indoor public places. The city says the new mask rule is back to help battle the rising number of Delta variant Covid cases.

Robin Vasilevsky was in Boston from Westford for the day with her daughter.

“I think it is our civic duty. I don’t see any problem with it at all. I mean it is a little piece of fabric over your mouth. It’s not forever if people will do it,” said Vasilevsky.

Masks are once again required anytime you are inside a public space in Boston.

The mandate applies to most indoor spaces, including retail stores, gyms, performance theaters, hotels, restaurants, bars, and clubs.

One of the key exceptions where the mandate does not apply is churches. Business owners in the city are bracing for some confusion over yet another set of rules. The order is similar to previous mandates but is not identical. There are still some questions as to how it will be enforced in certain places, especially at bars and clubs.

“We know there’s going to be hiccups,” said Jamsion LaGuardia, the VP of Sales, Operations, and Events for Royale Entertainment Group. “Our big thing is we’re not shutting down again.”

The city is requiring people to mask up while standing or ordering at the bar and is also mandating masks on indoor dance floors. However, the mandate allows people to remove face coverings when actively eating or drinking.

>>>MORE: MA hospitals not seeing rush of pediatric COVID cases

“If you want to go out and party, you have to understand this is the new world, and these are the new rules in downtown Boston,” LaGuardia explained. “We’re going to learn as we go.”

Unlike the last time when was a mask rule in Boston, there are no seating or capacity restrictions. Boston 25 News checked in at businesses across the city on Thursday, and most had ordered masks to have on hand in case people forget to bring a face covering.

“I think they never should’ve lifted it, to begin with,” said Chanel Martinez.

While some are applauding the new mandate, others are questioning how long it’s going to last.

“Businesses are going to go out of business with the masks again,” said Mike Curtis. “It’s extremely frustrating.”

The city’s website states, “This mandate will remain in place until we see a consistent downtrend in the city’s health data and community transmission levels are downgraded.”

The city has not defined a specific goal that would need to be achieved for the new mask order to be rescinded. Newton also announced that it would be implementing a mask mandate for all indoor public spaces beginning Thursday, September 2.

James and Kris Studinger were in Boston on vacation from Michigan.

“Don’t let it stop what you want to do. Have fun, have a good time,” said James Studinger. “We were just at the Boston Public Library and if you don’t have a mask they will give you one. It’s not going to hurt anyone,” his wife said.

One thing we noticed right away is it seemed like people had their mask at the ready. Whether it was around their wrist or even around their chin.

“You just have to adapt to life and this is the new part of life. And that is it,” said Vasilevsky. “‘Obviously it is more fun not to have one on, you can see expressions and hear people better but we are totally fine doing what we have to do to get through it all.”

Most places are once again providing masks if you forget one or don’t have one.

>>>PREVIOUS: Boston businesses gearing up for new mask mandate

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