Mask mandate goes away today, but stores, local governments can still require them

Gov. Chris Sununu masks up for a grocery store visit. Stores can still require masks, he said. (Courtesy photo)

CONCORD - Gov. Chris Sununu announced on Thursday that the statewide mask mandate implemented back in November will expire today.

The announcement follows a reduction in the state's seven-day average of daily deaths to 0.6, the lowest since October of 2020 before the mask mandate had been implemented, as hospitalizations remain at a manageable level and as over 70 percent of those 65+ have been vaccinated.
"We have been very careful from the beginning of this pandemic to take items up individually and make informed decisions," said Gov. Chris Sununu. "We have never set arbitrary dates unsupported by the data and the science. It is important to note that this mandate going away will not limit or prevent the ability of private businesses and local cities and towns from requiring masks. Of course, we continue to encourage folks to wear masks when they are unable to socially distanced."
State Epidemiologist Dr. Benjamin Chan said while the situation has improved, "We are still in a pandemic."

"New Hampshire public health continues to work towards protecting the health of all residents and communities," Chan said. "Throughout the pandemic, we have advised people to wear face masks to protect themselves and prevent COVID-19 from spreading, even when there was no mask mandate. The lifting of the mandate does not diminish the importance of wearing a face mask. The threat to health from COVID-19 is real."