NEWS

Hudson is the most recent addition to a growing list of municipal mask mandates

Lillian Eden
MetroWest Daily News

HUDSON — With COVID-19 cases again on the rise, town officials announced that masks will be required in municipal buildings starting Monday, even for fully vaccinated people. 

As of this past Monday, there are 31 Hudson residents in isolation, with 35 additional cases reported since Sept. 7. Children under 2 years of age and people with certain medical conditions are exempt from the mask mandate.

As of Thursday, Middlesex County had 305 newly confirmed cases, according to state data, with a 1.47% test positivity rate in the last 14 days as of Wednesday.

Hudson joins several other MetroWest and Greater Milford communities that made similar decisions in regards to masks:

Framingham

A mask mandate was reintroduced effective Aug. 5 in Framingham for those who go inside any municipal building. Everyone over the age of 5 and those with certain health risks must wear a face covering in buildings such as libraries, the police and fire buildings and the DPW. 

Natick

Natick instituted a mask mandate effective Aug. 16 for municipal buildings. Children under 2 years of age are exempt, as are people for whom mask coverings would create a health risk. The face covering requirement was put in place due to rising case numbers; between Aug. 29 and Sept. 11, there were 60 confirmed cases in the town, including three confirmed cases in those less than 5 years of age.

Wellesley

Wellesley announced an emergency indoor mask order for all municipal buildings and offices on Aug. 27. The Board of Health and Select Board made a joint decision; all people ages 5 and up must wear a face covering when inside buildings like Town Hall, Warren Recreation Building and all Wellesley Free Library buildings. The order went into effect Sept. 1. 

Ashland

Effective Aug. 6, the town of Ashland has asked all visitors to municipal buildings wear face coverings, regardless of vaccination status.