Gloucester Health Department Urges Residents to Get COVID-19 Vaccine Ahead of Upcoming Mask Order Changes, Full Reopening of State Industries

GLOUCESTER — Public Health Director Karin Carroll and the Gloucester Health Department are urging residents to get their COVID-19 vaccination ahead of changes announced to the state mask order and the full reopening of industries statewide later this week.

Gov. Charlie Baker announced last week that all remaining COVID-19 restrictions across the state will be lifted Saturday, May 29, allowing all industries to reopen at full capacity. 

Also effective Saturday, face masks will no longer be required for those who are fully vaccinated, except in select situations outlined further below. Those who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 continue to be advised to wear a mask in public and around those who do not live in their household.

“As we prepare for a radically reduced mask order and the reopening of industries, it is imperative that those who haven’t gotten their vaccine make an appointment to protect themselves from COVID-19,” Public Health Director Carroll said. “FDA-authorized vaccines are safe and effective. We’re seeing case numbers continue to go down, and the vaccine is a key factor in that progress.”

Gov. Baker further announced last week that the State of Emergency issued in the Commonwealth due to the pandemic will end June 15. 

The state announced the changes due to increasing rates of vaccination and decreasing cases of COVID-19. 

The following are statewide, regional and local resources to support eligible residents seeking a vaccine:

• Click here to register for an appointment at a mass vaccination site. The closest site is at the DoubleTree Hotel in Danvers.
• Click here to view other vaccination opportunities.
• Call 211 to connect with the above services if you do not have access to the internet. 
• Residents who are homebound may call 833-983-0485 to see if they qualify and to schedule an appointment through the state’s homebound vaccination program. 
• Call 978-515-5255 to speak with a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer to find access to transportation to or from an appointment and assist those without internet access with appointments. The line is dedicated to supporting Gloucester residents.
• Residents are additionally encouraged to contact their primary-care physicians and local pharmacies to inquire about vaccination opportunities. 
• Children 12 and older became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine earlier this month. Parents and guardians are encouraged to talk to their child’s primary-care provider about the vaccination and seek out vaccination opportunities.

Under state guidelines, those who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear a face covering in public beginning this Saturday, except in the following situations:

• When utilizing public and private transportation services including the commuter rail, buses, ferries, airplanes, rideshares like Uber and Lyft, taxis, and livery vehicles. Masks remain mandatory at transportation hubs including train stations, bus stops and airports.
• Indoors at all K-12 public schools, collaboratives and approved special education schools.
• Indoors at licensed or authorized child-care programs.
• At all health-care facilities and provider offices including nursing homes, rest homes, emergency medical services, hospitals, doctor’s offices, urgent care settings, community health centers, vaccination sites, behavioral health clinics and Bureau of Substance and Addiction Services facilities.
• At all congregate care facilities including assisted living facilities, group homes, houses of correction, prisons, jails, residential treatment programs. Face coverings also remain required at emergency shelter programs.
• At health-care and rehabilitative day services and programs.

For the latest vaccination and COVID-19 related updates, visit the Gloucester Health Department’s news blog, Facebook page, and Twitter account.

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