With coronavirus case counts and wastewater levels declining, Governor Charlie Baker announced...

 ...Wednesday that the statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools will be lifted by Feb. 28. He joined a number of blue states — like Connecticut, Delaware, and New Jersey — in eliminating classroom masking measures. 

“Today’s announcement is another big step forward to safely manage COVID while we get back to what I would describe as the familiar and normal aspects of school and life,” Baker said. 

Masks will still be required on school buses, and local school districts will have the option to keep their own mask mandates in place if they wish. Mayor Michelle Wu has already said Boston schools will continue to require masking past the deadline. 

For now, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people keep masks on in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.