Health

Mayor Kim Janey announces further reopening timeline for Boston

BOSTON — Boston Mayor Kim Janey announced Tuesday afternoon that the city will soon adopt a modified version of the state’s reopening plan that Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced earlier in the day. Boston will follow the rest of the state’s lead but will see a three-week delay for certain areas of its reopening plan.

All industry restrictions will be lifted and opened to 100% capacity in Boston on August 22, “if public health metrics support continued safe reopening in Boston,” the city said in a release Tuesday. That is a three-week delay from the rest of the state’s full reopening date.

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One aspect of the city’s reopening plan that will not see a delay compared to the state level is the update to the Face Coverings Order, which takes effect April 30. Masks will no longer be required outside in public spaces when people can remain at a safe distance from others. Face coverings will still be required at indoor and outdoor events, except when eating or drinking.

Also on April 30, the city will raise its capacity limits on public gatherings to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Private gatherings in Boston will continue to be limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors until June 19, when both public and private gathering limits in the city will be raised to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors.

In accordance with the state’s reopening plan, Boston will raise the capacity limit on indoor and outdoor stadiums - including Fenway Park and TD Garden - to 25% on May 10. The current capacity limit for those types of venues stands at 12%.

Other areas of the city’s reopening plan that will follow a three-week delay compared to the rest of the state are as follows:

  • Bars, beer gardens, distilleries and wineries can reopen without food requirements on June 19. Customers will be limited to 10 per table for a 90-minute time limit.
  • Street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals can reopen or resume starting June 19 with a 50% capacity limit.

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