These 6 Things Will End When MA COVID-19 Health Emergency Ceases In May

MASSACHUSETTS — Gov. Maura Healey announced said this week the state's remaining COVID-19 public health emergency orders will end in May, although the announcement was short on what specifically would change.

Healey on Wednesday said the state will end the COVID-19 public health emergency on May 11, the same day the federal government's emergency will end. She also said she would rescind a vaccine mandate for executive branch employees.

One state order still in effect that will likely be the biggest change for the public: mask requirements inside healthcare facilities. That order will go away on May 11, leaving the decision on masking up to individual hospitals, doctor's offices, senior care centers and other similar facilities.

According to state health officials, there are five other provisions that will end, according to the state Department of Public Health:

• Lower staffing levels at out-of-hospital dialysis providers
• Lower ambulance staffing: a single EMT and driver vs. the old minimum of two EMTs
• Authorizing people with lower certification levels to administer prepacked medications in community programs registered with DPH’s Medication Administration Program (MAP).
• Allowing qualified physician assistants in good standing to practice without a designated supervising physician.
• Allowing podiatrists, uncertified medical assistants, phlebotomists, and military combat lifesaver-trained veterans to administer coronavirus vaccines.

However, Healey said she will file legislation to allow the provisions on dialysis centers and MAP program medication administration to continue for six months after May 11. She will seek to make the lower EMT staffing levels permanent.

The end of the federal government's public health emergency may have deeper consequences for the public.

On April 1, millions of people who signed up for Medicaid during the pandemic will lose that benefit following under a federal spending package passed late last year. By May, the federal government will stop buying COVID-19 vaccines, which means many people will either have to pay out of pocket — as much as $130 per shot, according to manufacturers — or use health insurance. Free at-home test kits via the U.S. Postal Service will also go away.

One other pandemic-era program ending soon in Massachusetts: The state will close the final 11 "Stop the Spread" PCR testing sites by the end of March.