WORCESTER, Mass. - The City of Worcester will again require all city employees and visitors to wear masks in all municipal buildings starting Thursday.

Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the city, and the highly contagious delta variant, City Manager Ed Augustus issued the Executive Order on Tuesday.  The order applies to all vaccinated and unvaccinated City employees and visitors in municipal buildings and at all indoor City-organized events.

“We are all eager to be rid of the COVID-19 virus, and the surest way to accomplish that is to curb the spread,” Augustus said. “Masks and face coverings are an effective way to do that, along with getting vaccinated. We have made great strides against the virus, but we are still in the midst of a pandemic. We must all do our part to ensure we beat this virus once and for all.”

The Order will remain in effect until further notice. The requirement follows guidance from the CDC and Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The CDC has recommended masks be worn in counties with a “substantial” or “high” transmission of COVID. Worcester County has been designated as “substantial” transmission.