At this point in time, we are shifting our response to the COVID-19 virus. This shift is due to many factors, including:

• Availability of vaccines
• Widespread immunity, both from vaccines and natural infection
• Less severe virus variants
• Access to effective COVID-19 treatment 

Massachusetts and New Hampshire have announced the end of their COVID-19 states of emergency and mask mandates. The CDC also changed their guidelines on masking in healthcare settings. Their update states, “When COVID-19 community transmission levels are not high, healthcare facilities could choose not to require universal (masking).” 

Yes. Masks will continue to be available at our facilities. Our mask can be worn by itself or over your home mask. You can take a mask from our hygiene stations. 

Yes. Patients are required to wear a mask if they: 

• Have a fever or other flu-like symptoms 
• Have a known COVID-19 infection and are in their isolation period 
• Have a known exposure to COVID-19 within the last 10 days 

If you meet any of the above criteria before an in-person appointment, please contact your doctor’s office. They can advise you about next steps.

We are committed to ensuring that patients can access medical care in a safe and appropriate manner. We always take appropriate precautions to protect all patients. Our policies are based on public health guidance and that of our infection control experts. At this time, based on this guidance, universal masking is no longer medically necessarily to protect patients from COVID-19. There are circumstances when masking is an appropriate medical intervention. In those circumstances, caregivers and/or patients will continue to mask, per our policies. Patients can ask, but providers determine when and if masking in a particular situation is clinically necessary.

We will always consider any requests for accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Any requests of this nature should be made to your provider.

Our policies no longer require employees to wear a mask at all times. However, there are times when masks are worn per our policies. An employee does not need to explain why they are wearing a mask. 

By wearing one of our masks on top of your home mask, it helps us know that the mask you are wearing is clean and effective. Thank you for understanding.

In the future, there may be circumstances when our policies are updated to include targeted or broader masking. Our experts will continue to re-evaluate our policies, as they have throughout the pandemic, and adjust as needed. We will keep patients informed of any changes.