City of Boston lifts proof of vaccine requirement, effective immediately

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced the proof of vaccination policy in Boston has been lifted, effective immediately.

The announcement comes Friday afternoon after Wu announced that the City’s “B Together” policy, which requires patrons and staff of certain indoor spaces to show proof of vaccination will be lifted, due to the COVID-19 data. Masks will still be required, however in indoor settings.

As of Friday, the COVID-19 data shows Boston has a 4.0% community positivity rate; a 90.7% occupancy rate of adult ICU beds, and a 7-day average of adult COVID-19 hospitalizations at 195.9 per day, falling below all three previously announced thresholds.

“The public health data shows that we’re ready to take this step in our recovery,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This news highlights how much progress we’ve made in our fight against COVID-19 thanks to vaccines & boosters—which have always been our most effective weapon against the pandemic.”

UPDATE: As of today, our public health data show that Boston is officially below the 3 critical thresholds for heightened COVID protections, so we are lifting the proof of vaccination requirement. pic.twitter.com/Cu0NgZUgtv
— Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭 (@MayorWu) February 18, 2022

Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission said she is encouraged by the city’s COVID-19 data and optimistic about where Boston is headed.

News traveled slowly Friday night; workers outside the House of Blues Boston were still checking vaccination cards before a concert.

“I think it’s a little overdue,” said concertgoer Victoria Rouleau.

“It’s definitely been inconvenient because sometimes people would not have their vaccination cards there with them,” concertgoer Carmen Sanchez said.

Jaclyn Callahan works at Game On! Sports Bar outside Fenway Park. She said it was a burden to check for vaccine cards every night, especially when the restaurant was busy.

“Like Super Bowl Sunday when we were really busy, it held up the line to check all the cards,” Callahan said. “It makes work easier, we don’t have to worry about checking everybody.”

Bleacher bar manager Chance Leary said lifting the mandate will allow him to free up his staff. He won’t have to have someone checking for vaccine cards at the door.

“Just in general, it’s awesome. It’s good the people can just go out and not really worry about this stuff anymore,” Leary said.