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Winter 2022 COVID-19 Updates

Brothers and Sisters,

The health and safety of our members and families is our top priority, Local 6 will continue to keep our members up to date with the latest information regarding new COVID-19 guidelines and safety recommendations. Please continue reading below to learn more about the recent changes at the municipal and state level regarding COVID-19 orders.

Statewide Mask Requirement for K-12 Schools

On February 9, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) announced that the statewide mask requirement for K-12 schools will be lifted on February 28. The DESE and Massachusetts Department of Public Health will only require students and faculty to wear mask if they test positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact unvaccinated individuals, both asymptomatic and symptomatic.

Read DESE’s February 9 announcement here and visit Doe.Mass.Edu/COVID19/On-Desktop/Protocols to learn more about DESE’s COVID-19 protocols.

City of Boston Vaccine Mandate

Beginning on February 15, all individuals age 12 or older will be required to show proof of full vaccination status to enter certain indoor establishments in Boston. By Tuesday, March 1, children age 5-11 must show proof of one vaccine dose. Finally, by Sunday, May 1, anyone age 5 or older will be required to show proof of full vaccination status. The city is requiring that employees working at these locations be fully vaccinated as well.You can use the following to verify your vaccination status:

  • Original CDC vaccination card
  • Photo of your CDC vaccination card
  • Photo of any official immunization record
  • Uploaded image of CDC card or immunization record on City of Boston B Together app or any other COVID vaccine verification app
More information about Boston’s vaccine mandate can be found on the B Together Initiative page.

Booster Shot Eligibility
Vaccinated individuals ages 12 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot. The CDC has outlined the following criteria for booster shots:
  • Adults 18 years and older who received the Moderna vaccine are eligible for a booster shot five (5) months after second vaccination date.
  • Adults 18 years and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are eligible for a booster shot two (2) months after vaccination date.
  • Everyone 12 years and older who received the Pfizer vaccine are eligible for a booster shot five (5) months after second vaccination date.

To find vaccination sites, visit VaxFinder.mass.gov.

Individuals who are unable to reach a vaccination site may participate in the state’s in-home vaccination program. Learn more at Mass.gov/Info-Details/COVID-19-In-Home-Vaccination-Program.

Testing Information

COVID-19 testing is widely available in Massachusetts. To find a testing location near you, visit Mass.gov/Info-Details/Find-A-Covid-19-Test. You can also purchase at-home COVID-19 tests at your local pharmacy.

As of January 15, all insurance companies and health plans are required to cover eight (8) free over-the-counter at-home tests for each covered individual per month. Click here for more information.

Free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are also available for order and shipment through the United States Postal Service. There is a limit of one (1) order per residential address. Each order will contain four (4) tests. Click here for more information.Thank you all for your incredible efforts to keep our job sites and community safe thus far. We encourage you all to continue following the necessary safety measures outlined by the CDC to stop the spread of this virus. Together, we will emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient than before.

In addition to the updates provided by Local 6, be sure to regularly visit the Boston.gov, Mass.gov and CDC websites to stay informed of developing COVID-19 updates as well.

Fraternally,Jim Lister
Business Manager/Financial Secretary
Insulators Local 6