Baker: State rolling back reopening plan due to COVID-19 data

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.

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:

• 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.

The news comes as the state has been reporting an increase in cases and hospitalizations since Thanksgiving.

“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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