Worcester Has To Redo Mask Mandate Repeal After Invalid Vote

Worcester MA

11 February, 2022

2:10 PM

Description

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester hasn't actually repealed a mask mandate — yet. The Board of Health voted 3-2 this week to repeal the mandate this month. But the vote didn't actually count because one member — former city councilor Gary Rosen — hadn't been sworn in as a member when the vote happened. Rosen was sworn in on Thursday, and so the board will do the vote over again on Wednesday, according to city officials. Worcester City Manager Ed Augustus Jr. last Friday asked the board to rescind the mask mandate based on declining coronavirus case rates. The number of new cases has been dropping each week recently, and Augustus is seeking an end to the mask mandate by Feb. 18. A separate mandate for masks in city schools will be in place until at least March 7.