Mask mandate expires at midnight in New Hampshire

NASHUA, New Hampshire — At the stroke of midnight Friday, wearing masks in New Hampshire will no longer be a mandate.

And some here are happy. “I think there’s like, what, 16 states down south that opened before we did, and our state motto is ‘Live Free or Die’ and we were pretty late to the party, I guess,” said Brittany Kelly, who is in favor of lifting the mask mandate.

Others say they have nothing to celebrate. Some believe Gov. Chris Sununu lifted the mask mandate too early.

“I don’t know if it was the best decision. And I work in human services with people with disabilities. And I know, we’re going keep wearing the mask, because we believe it’s a smart idea. But I understand he’s got to get businesses up and running a little bit more normally, as well.

Gov. Sununu said the drop in deaths and increase in vaccinations in the Granite State are behind his decision to let the mask mandate expire. And some towns like Nashua and Durham will keep their mask mandates in place.

People hope everyone will respect their decision either way. “I think it is, you know, a personal choice to get vaccinated. And it’s a personal choice to wear mask. I just hope people are sensible,” said Nancy Cook of New Boston, New Hampshire.

Keith murphy owns Murphy’s Taproom in Manchester. He is happy to see the mandatory mask order expire.

“Frankly, I think it’s overdue. But I’m excited. It’s finally happened. My customers, I think we’re ready to get back to living,” said Keith Murphy.

And he added, as long as Massachusetts keeps their mask mandate in place, it’s good for his business.

“I would say that Massachusetts should keep those limits in place as long as they want. Because I have had a lot of Massachusetts business lately,” said Murphy.

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