BOSTON — Massachusetts is set to start the fourth and final phase of reopening on Monday. Gov. Charlie Baker made the announcement last month.
Like the previous phases, Phase 4 will also be broken up into multiple steps. Starting March 22, indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks will be allowed to reopen with 12% capacity.
Exhibition and convention halls can also reopen with limited capacity. Dance floors will once again be allowed at weddings and events.
Businesses and services that must remain closed for now include theme parks, water parks, bars that don’t have food service, nightclubs, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs, and parades, street festivals and agricultural festivals.
Some businesses will have to wait until they can reopen.
Starting Monday, gatherings at event venues and public settings can increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Gatherings at private homes and backyards will remain limited to 25 people outside, 10 people inside.
Also happening Monday, the state’s travel order will be replaced with a travel advisory. Travelers will now be encouraged – not required – to quarantine for 10 days after returning to the state.
People who violate the quarantine rule will no longer face a $500 fine.