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1. Do I need to wear a mask / face covering?

Effective December 21, 2021: In response to the spread of the Delta variant and the emerging Omicron variant, the Department of Public Health now advises that all residents, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home). The DPH particularly urges this recommendation if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.

For more information, please visit the COVID-19 Mask Requirements page provided by the Massachusetts government website.

Town of Reading Board of Health requires wearing masks in public indoor settings and encouraging vaccination.

2. Where do I have to wear a mask?

Effective December 21, 2021: In response to the spread of the Delta variant and the emerging Omicron variant, the Department of Public Health now advises that all residents, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home). The DPH particularly urges this recommendation if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.

For more information, please visit the COVID-19 Mask Requirements page provided by the Massachusetts government website.

Town of Reading Board of Health requires wearing masks in public indoor settings and encouraging vaccination.

View more information about The Science of Masking to Control COVID-19 (PDF)

3. Why am I being asked to wear a face covering?

Effective December 21, 2021: In response to the spread of the Delta variant and the emerging Omicron variant, the Department of Public Health now advises that all residents, regardless of vaccination status, wear a mask or face covering when indoors (and not in your own home). The DPH particularly urges this recommendation if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease, or is unvaccinated.

For more information, please visit the COVID-19 Mask Requirements page provided by the Massachusetts government website.

Town of Reading Board of Health requires wearing masks in public indoor settings and encouraging vaccination.

View more information about The Science of Masking to Control COVID-19 (PDF)

4. Where can I get a mask?

Masks are widely available in stores.

5. I have trouble breathing. Do I have to wear a mask?

No. This is a medical exemption.

6. My child is between the ages of 2 to 5 years. Does he / she have to wear a mask?

Face mask use requirements for children are as follows:

• Children age 5 and older must wear a face mask while indoors.
• By federal public health order, all children over the age of two and staff are required to wear masks on child care transportation.
• Children age 2 to 4 who can safely and appropriately wear, remove, and handle face masks should be strongly encouraged, at family discretion, to wear face masks indoors and must be supervised at all times while wearing a face mask.
• Children under the age of 2 years must not wear face masks or face coverings of any kind, unless requested by a parent and the program receives written parental consent.

View the Mask Usage in Early Education and Care (EEC) Child Care Programs page provided by the Massachusetts government website.