BOSTON — All communities across the Commonwealth will be moving back to Phase 3, Step 1 of the state’s reopening plan, effective Sunday, Governor Baker announced Tuesday.
[ MA restaurant owners fear rollback to Phase 3, Step 1 is another hit to business ]
According to Baker, effective Sunday, December 13, all communities will roll back to Phase 3, Step 1 of Massachusetts’ reopening plan, including the following restrictions:
The news comes as the state has been reporting an increase in cases and hospitalizations since Thanksgiving.
- Outdoor gatherings at event venues will be limited to no more than 50 people
- Hosts of outdoor gatherings of greater than 25 people will be required to provide advance notice of the gathering to their local board of health
- Indoor theaters and performance venues and higher contact indoor recreation businesses will be required to close to the public
- Outdoor theaters and performance venues will be limited to 25% capacity, and no more than 50 people
In all communities, capacity will be reduced from 50% to 40% for the following sectors:
- Arcades/Indoor and Outdoor Recreational Businesses
- Driving and Flight Schools
- Gyms/Health Clubs
- Libraries
- Museums
- Retail
- Offices
- Places of Worship
- Lodging (common areas)
- Golf facilities
- Movie Theaters (Maximum 50 people per theater)
Baker says the state is “going to continue being as aggressive as we can” in fighting the COVID-19 virus.
[ Local chamber after MA COVID-19 rollback: ‘We will see more stores closing’ ]
“We are still in a pandemic and the state of Massachusetts is being tested once again,” Baker said.
The Administration also announced new guidelines for restaurants and other venues with seated dining, including:
- Patrons must wear masks at all times except when eating and drinking
- Restaurants must seat no more than six patrons per table
- Restaurants must impose a 90-minute time limit on tables
- Musical performances at restaurants will no longer be permitted
- Food court seating must be closed in malls
Customers are encouraged to dine only with members of the same household.
The Administration announced new guidelines for workplaces and gyms, including:
- In offices, employees must wear masks at their place of work when not in their own workspace and alone
- Employers are encouraged to close or limit the use of break rooms
- Patrons must wear masks at all times in gyms
Lower-risk communities have been in Step 2 since Oct. 5, which allowed fitting rooms to reopen and gyms, museums, and libraries were able to increase capacity to 50%.
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