A group of state lawmakers, progressive groups and several doctors is asking Gov. Charlie Baker to reinstate a statewide mask policy for indoor public spaces.
In a letter to Baker, the group asks the governor to institute a policy on face coverings in line with CDC recommendations tied to counties' COVID-19 transmission risk. Higher-risk counties would have to wear masks indoors. The group also wants statewide workplace safety standards, more mobile vaccine clinics, eviction protections, universal masking in schools and financial support for struggling residents.
"We have the action plan and now we must take swift action to keep our kids in schools, to keep our families safe and keep our businesses open by implementing the mitigation measures in this action plan," said Sen. Becca Rausch (D-Needham.)
Baker said Tuesday he has no plans to bring back a statewide mask mandate.
"Keep in mind that we're in a very different place than we were in before. Five million people are fully vaccinated. A million and a half of those are boosted. Over 6 million people have at least one dose," Baker said at a press conference announcing the bulk purchase of rapid COVID-19 tests for cities and towns.
The Massachusetts Medical Society advised even vaccinated residents on Tuesday to resume wearing masks indoors.
Baker has avoided statewide regulations related to the pandemic since the end of the commonwealth's state of emergency in June. It is unclear how much authority the governor retains to order new mask mandates, but Rausch believes the governor does still have that power.
"The experts have spoken and we should listen to them," Rausch said.
