Masks Optional in Municipal Buildings: PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2022

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2022

This week the Truro Board of Health voted to transition to make masking optional in all municipal buildings beginning Thursday March 3.  The continued decrease of new COVID-19 cases in Truro and neighboring towns along with wide availability of testing supports this shift to relax the mitigations that reduce transmission of the SARS Co-V-2 virus.

Masking will not be optional for certain public events such as the Annual Town Meeting scheduled to be held in the Truro Central School gymnasium on April 26 and in-person Board and Committee meetings in Town Buildings. Masking remains an important aspect of the quarantine and isolation protocols following a positive test for or exposure to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. 

In its revised “Rule and Order requiring the use of masks and other protective measures” the Board emphasized that at this time masking could be viewed as a personal preference informed by an individual’s personal level of risk.

There may be business establishments that will exercise their right to continue to require their patrons to wear masks, and the Board asks the public to honor these requirements accordingly.  The Town continues to encourage Boards and Committees to meet remotely and offers remote access to Town Hall for most services such as permitting.

The Board of Health remains hopeful that the community remains in this current climate of low transmission but is prepared to re-establish the requirement for the mitigations of masking and distancing should conditions change. Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself from severe illness and it is recommended for all residents of Truro over the age of 5.  

The Truro Health Department staff is available to answer questions about locations for vaccinations or booster shots. The Health Department will continue to keep the public advised of further developments regarding COVID-19.

Contact: (509) 349-7004 x119  Fax (508) 349-5505

Emily Beebe, Health Agent ebeebe@truro-ma.gov

Tracey Rose, Board of Health Chair tracey.rose@truro-ma.gov

Health and Conservation Department Town of Truro, PO Box 2030, Truro, MA 02666