New restaurant mask rule raises questions as calls for more restrictions, shutdowns grow louder

BOSTON — A revised mask rule that just took effect on Sunday at restaurants across Massachusetts is leading to some questions and confusion among diners, restaurant owners and staff.

The rule, requiring patrons to wear a mask at all times except when actively eating or drinking, is part of the state’s rollback to Phase 3, Step 1 protocols.

PREVIOUS: Statewide rollback to Step 1 of Phase 3 begins Sunday

Boston 25 News spoke with several different restaurant owners and managers at establishments across the city who had different interpretations of the new mask policy.

Two of the restaurant owners, who did not want to be named for this report, said they didn’t see how it could be reasonably enforced without staff watching each table constantly. Others said they are willing to accept the new rule with open arms if it means avoiding another shutdown.

“We are supporting this idea, and we are warning people when they are being seated about the new set of rules,” said Mehmet Reyhanodlu, assistant general manager of Frenchie in Boston’s South End.

Reyhanodlu said what’s most important is that people keep their mask on while their server is taking the order and bringing drink and food to the table.

“It allows the servers and the restaurant workers to be a little safer,” Reyhanodlu said. “When we see people talking without a mask and they’re not eating or drinking, we will try to warn them.”

Some patrons wondered if the rule means that people should be pulling their mask up and down with each sip of drink or bite of food.

“I’m sure a lot of people are going to be confused by it, but I think we have to do our best considering the circumstances,” Rick Heller said.

>>>MORE: MA retailers reduce capacity Sunday as Phase 3 Step 1 rollback goes into effect

Heller, who dined at Frenchie on Sunday night, said he always wears his mask while sitting down at restaurants anyway.

“I’ll take the mask off when I’m eating, but not [back and forth] every bite. When I’m done eating or if there’s another course, I’ll put my mask back on,” Heller explained.

As restaurants and customers across the state adapt to the changes, some state and local leaders are calling for indoor dining to be stopped. Rep. Mike Connolly, a Cambridge Democrat, told Boston 25 News that more shutdowns and restrictions are necessary due to the state’s alarming metrics. He also said more state aid is crucial to help businesses and employees try to make it through to the other side.

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone agrees and said he believes the state, “can’t dance around it” any longer.

“We either control the pandemic or it’s going to control us. As I speak right now, it’s controlling us,” Curtatone said. “We need to get direct financial support to businesses and employees and act now.”

Mayor Curtatone said the millions of dollars that Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law last Friday with the state’s new budget isn’t enough to help the struggling restaurant industry. With federal funding tied up in Washington, Curtatone and other leaders are calling on Massachusetts to come up with a solution quickly.

“These restaurants and businesses are dying and bleeding out financially,” Curtatone added. “We cannot wait for the federal government to do something. We can do more and we need to do more.”

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