Gov has ‘no plans’ to bring back statewide mask mandate

BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker said during a news conference Monday morning that he is not planning to reinstate the statewide mask mandate.

“Keep in mind that we’re in a very different place than we were in before,” Baker said, highlighting that 5 million in the Commonwealth are fully vaccinated. One-and-a-half million of those have been boosted. Six million people have had at least one dose.

Baker said his administration continues to focus on the hard-hit communities, announcing that the state will distribute two million rapid at-home tests to 102 towns “with the highest percentage of families below the poverty level.”

The statewide mandate was lifted on May 29, along with all COVID-19 restrictions.

Many communities across the state implemented their own mandates. The city of Boston has had its indoor mask mandate in effect since the end of August.

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