COVID-19 Public Health Update – Mask Mandate Rescinded Effective March 14, 2022

Lincoln Board of Health and the Lincoln Select Board, March 11, 2022

The Lincoln Board of Health (BOH) voted two days ago to rescind the town-wide indoor mask mandate effective Monday, March 14, 2022 in response to substantially improved and positively trending public health data, including Lincoln’s high vaccination rate. 

Residents with weakened immune systems or at increased risk of severe Covid-19 disease because of age or medical conditions, or who have a household member at such increased risk, are advised by the Lincoln BOH and the Commonwealth’s Department of Public Health (DPH) to continue to wear a mask when indoors other than in their home, even if they are vaccinated.

We encourage the public to continue to wear masks in accordance with their own comfort level and in compliance with the DPH guidelines cited above.  Private establishments may continue to require masks upon entry.

Additionally, DPH (and Lincoln BOH) want you to know that “Massachusetts has effective treatments for COVID-19 that are free and available. These treatments can prevent hospitalizations and reduce the risk of becoming very ill. Treatment is appropriate for people who test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms…and who are at increased risk of severe disease.” Treatments now include Paxlovid, an oral antiviral agent that physicians can prescribe. Prevention now includes Evusheld preventive antibody injections for immunocompromised persons. Details at www.mass.gov/covidtreatment.

We are grateful for the strong adherence to public health best practices by our residents and look forward to a healthy 2022.

Lincoln Board of Health                                                  Town Administrator

Frederick Mansfield, MD, chair                                           Timothy S. Higgins

Steven R. Kanner, MD, member

Patricia (Trish) Miller, member