Interim Health Commissioner Pat Maloney announces that the Town of Brookline, with the support of the Select Board and Advisory Council on Public Health, will implement a vaccine requirement at a wide variety of businesses and venues beginning next weekend.
The regulation requires that proof of vaccination be provided by patrons for at all:
- indoor entertainment, recreation and event venues — including movie theaters and performance spaces, party venues, museums and galleries, exhibition halls and other recreational centers;
- food service establishments, including indoor and outdoor seating areas; the regulation does not apply to food service establishments offering food or beverage exclusively for off-premises consumption, nor does it apply to charitable food service locations;
- all commercial indoor gyms and fitness settings.
Visitors to these businesses and venues who are eligible to be vaccinated will ultimately be required to provide proof they hae been fully vaccinated against CoViD-19. To view the full order, please visit here.
The regulation will take effect in phases, beginning with a soft rollout on Saturday, January 15, 2022:
- Phase 1, January 15, 2022: All patrons ages 12 and up shall be required to present proof they’ve received at least one dose in either a one-dose or multi-dose vaccination.
- Phase 2, February 22, 2022: All patrons ages 12 and up shall be required to present proof of one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or all doses of either Pfizer or Moderna.
- Phase 3, March 22, 2022: All patrons ages 5-11 shall be required to present proof of at least one dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which is currently the only vaccine authorized to be provided to that age group.
- Phase 4, May 01, 2022: All patrons ages 5-11 shall be required to present proof of full vaccination with the Pfizer vaccine, which is currently the only vaccine authorized to be provided to that age group.
The vaccine requirement will take full effect on Saturday, January 22, 2022, with violators facing fines of $300 per violation.
“This approach helps to protect our entire community as we approach the start of the third year of a pandemic that has touched all of our lives,” Commissioner Maloney said. “I want to thank the Advisory Council on Public Health and the Select Board for their leadership on this issue.
“By implementing this regulation,” Maloney added, “Brookline is doing its part to mitigate a continuing surge that is stretching our healthcare system to its limits, because vaccination is proven to severely limit the potential for hospitalization due to CoViD-19.”
The vaccine requirement does not affect public or private K-12 schools, childcare programs, senior centers, community centers or non-commercial municipal functions. It also does not apply to sites that are not open to the general public.
Visitors to covered businesses can provide proof of vaccination in a number of ways, including:
A CDC CoViD-19 vaccination card A digital image of a CDC card Any other official immunization record from the jurisdiction, state or country where the vaccine was administered A digital or physical photo of such card or record, reflecting the person’s name, vaccine brand and dates administered A letter, digital image or report from a health care provider, pharmacy or vaccination site establishing proof of CoViD-19 vaccination Any vaccination verification smartphone application developed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or developed or endorsed by the Town of Brookline.
Yesterday, the Commonwealth announced a digital vaccine card, which individuals vaccinated in Massachusetts may obtain and save on their smartphones. To obtain yours, please visit here and complete the form. A link to obtain the digital record will be texted or emailed to you within moments, based on your preference.
Those entering these establishments for a quick, limited purpose like using the restroom, placing or picking up a takeout order, making a delivery or performing necessary repairs will be exempted from this regulation. Additionally, public safety, public health and emergency services personnel will be exempted.
Brookline’s indoor mask mandate remains in effect as well.
Getting vaccinated is free, safe and is the most effective way of preventing serious illness due to CoViD-19. To find out where you can be vaccinated or obtain a booster dose, please visit here.
