WORCESTER, Mass. - Citing a rise in COVID-19 cases, the City of Worcester's Medical Director Dr. Michael Hirsh issued two Emergency Orders requiring masks to be worn in all schools in the city and a regulation requiring all businesses in the city to report positive cases to the Division of Public Health.

The orders were issued at 5 p.m. on Friday before the Labor Day holiday weekend. The orders are in place effective Tuesday, Sept. 7 until further notice.

“Worcester, like most other cities across the U.S., is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 positivity, due in large part to the highly transmissible delta variant, as well as a number of breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals," Dr. Hirsh said. "Vaccinated individuals who are largely asymptomatic can spread this highly infectious variant to unvaccinated individuals. While our best defense is achieving herd immunity through vaccination, masks have proven effective in protecting those who have yet to be vaccinated, are too young to be vaccinated as well as those with weakened immune systems and pre-existing conditions.”

Face coverings will be required in all public, private, parochial, and charter schools for all students, teachers and staff while inside school buildings and on school transportation. Masks will also be required for all student-athletes and coaches while indoors. 

“We all have a role to play in keeping our community safe. Worcester is and always has been a City of resiliency. The residents of this community have shown great compassion and consideration for one and other repeatedly in times of need," City Manager Ed Augustus said." We implore private businesses and employers to follow these regulations and further implement mask mandates for the safety of employees, customers and patrons."

The City of Worcester will now require businesses and employers to report those cases to the Worcester Division of Public Health for the purpose of contact tracing and the enforcement of quarantine requirements.