Health

Mask Mandate Rescinded

During the February 23 Board of Health meeting, the Board voted to rescind the mask mandate effective at 12:01 AM on Thursday, February 24, 2022. As such, face coverings are no longer required in indoor public spaces within the Town of Acton.

The Board, however, strongly advises everyone to follow the Massachusetts Department of Public Health guidelines that were issued on February 15, 2022 and are available below:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts – Advisory regarding face coverings
Effective February 15, 2022: A fully vaccinated individual should wear a face covering indoors if you have a weakened immune system, or if you are at increased risk for severe disease because of your age or an underlying medical condition, or if someone in your household has a weakened immune system, is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated.

Further information is available here.

In addition, if you are considered a close contact or have tested positive you will need to continue to follow the current isolation and quarantine guidance which requires wearing a mask for five (5) days after you leave isolation or quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. Full guidance can be found here. 

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health also continues to require face coverings while on public and private transportation, including the MBTA, commuter rails, buses, ferries, rideshares, taxis and airplanes, as required by the Federal Government. In addition, they will also be required at all Health Care, Congregate care facilities, Houses of Correction, Health and Day services/programs as well as home health care services. These requirements are for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Click here for details.

Individual businesses still reserve the right to require masks if they so choose and the Board of Health asks that all residents/businesses respect those that opt to continue wearing one. 

The Board of Health also advises everyone to ensure that when a face covering is worn to wear a proper face covering and follow COVID safety protocols that include social distancing, washing of hands, staying home if you are sick, monitoring your health, covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning, disinfecting and obtaining the vaccine and/or booster dose when eligible. COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing you from getting severe illness, preventing hospitalizations and death. Please do your part in helping to slow the spread.

COVID-19 Guidance

On December 28, 2021, the MDPH (Massachusetts Department of Public Health) at the recommendation of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) updated the quarantine and isolation guidance.
 
If you test positive – You must isolate for 5 days and if you have no symptoms or they are resolving after 5 days you can leave your home but you must continue to wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days.
 
If you are exposed to someone who tested positive:

  • If you are boosted or completed the series of Pfizer or Moderna within the last 6 months or J & J within the last two months – Wear a mask for 10 days and test on day 5 if possible.  (if you develop symptoms get tested and stay home)
  • If you completed the series of Pfizer or Moderna over 6 months or J & J over two months ago and you are not boosted or are unvaccinated you should stay home and quarantine for 5 days and continue to wear a mask for an additional 5 days – If you are unable to quarantine, you must wear a mask around others for a full 10 days and in all cases, consider getting tested on day 5.

The full guidance can be found here. 

Please do your part and consider getting vaccinated and/or boosted by clicking on the following link to make an appointment at https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/

Overview


The Acton Public Health Department is the facilitator for the Board of Health and the Town in safeguarding the public health of the people living and working in the Town of Acton. This is accomplished by protecting and enhancing the environment and public health through education and enforcement of environmental and public health regulations.

Services include:
  • Supervising and directing the Acton Public Health Nursing Service and the Community Services Coordinator
  • Responding to public health nuisance complaints
  • Performing inspections to ensure safe and sanitary housing
  • Operating the Pre-Occupancy Housing Inspection program.
  • Reviewing, permitting, and inspecting food service facilities, tanning facilities, body art facilities, public swimming pools, beaches, and camps for children
  • Providing public and environmental health emergency response capabilities
  • Reporting and recording communicable disease information
  • Overseeing the activities of the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project
  • Monitoring and directing the activities of the Animal Inspector and the Sealer of Weights and Measures

Health Department Survey

The Acton Health Department needs to hear from you!  We previously conducted this survey approximately 8 years ago and received 800 responses!  We would love to hear from all of you this time!

We are asking you what you think Acton needs to be a healthier community.  We have taken strides on implementing the results from 8 years ago and now we want to know if we should still be working on those or if there are different needs that you can identify for our community. 

Please take a minute complete the survey.  You can email the Health Department at health@actonma.govto have a link sent to you and be added to our mailing list or visit https://tinyurl.com/healthyacton

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