BALTIMORE, MD (WEAA) — Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced Thursday, city officials are reinstating the indoor mask mandate beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, August 9.
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people will be required to wear masks.
As of Thursday, the percentage of new COVID-19 cases has increased approximately 374% in the last four weeks and the positivity rate has increased by 364% in the past four weeks.
“This pandemic is not over and we must all do our due diligence to protect ourselves and our neighbors,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “While we know that masking is a sure way to slow the spread of COVID-19, we cannot stress enough the importance and urgency of getting vaccinated so that we can beat COVID-19 for good.”
Health officials say Baltimore City is now in the “substantial” risk category.
“The Delta variant is here, and it poses a serious threat to our unvaccinated residents,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa. “I’m speaking to you not just as the Health Commissioner but as a mother of a child that is too young to be vaccinated. We have the ability to slow the spread COVID-19 and the actions we all take collectively will protect the most vulnerable among us.”
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In line with @CDCgov guidance, I am reinstating the indoor mask mandate for all residents and guests in Baltimore. As we continue to encourage vaccination, wearing masks helps maximize protection from the Delta variant and halt its spread.
— Brandon M. Scott (@MayorBMScott) August 5, 2021
Release: https://t.co/ArBWTRr3CP pic.twitter.com/YJGoRl8tVl
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