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.
The timeline for Boston’s continued reopening allows three weeks of additional time to vaccinate vulnerable residents, accommodate dense neighborhoods, and support complex business districts.
— Kim Janey (@MayorKimJaney) April 27, 2021
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.
On April 30, the @CityofBoston will adopt capacity limits of 100 people for indoor settings and 150 people for outdoor settings. This is in line with where the Commonwealth has been since late March. pic.twitter.com/PilqOx887E
— Kim Janey (@MayorKimJaney) April 27, 2021
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%.
Effective May 10, Boston will align with Commonwealth rules to allow indoor and outdoor stadiums, like Fenway Park and TD Garden, to increase capacity from 12% to 25%. pic.twitter.com/104mTGiF14
— Kim Janey (@MayorKimJaney) April 27, 2021
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.
Boston’s reopening timeline reflects the progress we have made, and the progress that remains, in our shared fight against the pandemic. https://t.co/oAKjDMP9Rs includes a breakdown of our reopening plan and how it compares with the state. pic.twitter.com/tUJRqgMGxf
— Kim Janey (@MayorKimJaney) April 27, 2021
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