{"id":15833,"date":"2021-04-27T14:30:43","date_gmt":"2021-04-27T18:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northcentralmass.com\/?p=15833"},"modified":"2021-04-27T14:30:43","modified_gmt":"2021-04-27T18:30:43","slug":"baker-polito-administration-announces-plans-for-continued-reopening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northcentralmass.com\/es\/baker-polito-administration-announces-plans-for-continued-reopening\/","title":{"rendered":"Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries effective May 10th<\/sup>\u00a0and put plans in place for further reopening on May 29th<\/sup>\u00a0and August 1st<\/sup>. The Administration continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth’s economy with public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. This includes drops in average daily COVID cases and hospitalizations. Massachusetts remains first in the nation for first vaccine doses and total doses administered per capita, among states with more than 5 million people. The Administration will also relax the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings, effective April 30th<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Face Coverings Order:\u00a0<\/u><\/b><\/p>\n

Effective April 30th<\/sup>, the Face Coverings Order will be relaxed for some outdoor settings.<\/p>\n

Face coverings will only be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times required by sector-specific guidance.<\/p>\n

Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places.\u00a0Face coverings will also continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when eating or drinking.<\/p>\n

At smaller gatherings\u00a0in private homes, face coverings are recommended but not required. The $300 fine as an enforcement mechanism will be eliminated.<\/p>\n

Phase IV, Step 2 Industries and Gathering Changes:<\/u><\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

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On March 22, Massachusetts loosened capacity restrictions and advanced to Step 1 of Phase IV of the reopening plan. Since then, case rates dropped by 20%. The positivity rate has dropped to the lowest levels recorded since last summer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Effective Monday, May 10th<\/sup>:<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

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Large venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open as part of Phase 4, Step 1 at 12% will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.<\/p>\n

The Commonwealth will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries including amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks that will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.<\/p>\n

Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be permitted to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH.<\/p>\n

Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports.<\/p>\n

Singing will also be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses.<\/p>\n

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Effective May 29th<\/sup>:<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Subject to public health and vaccination data, gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.<\/p>\n

Subject to public health and vaccination data, additional Phase 4, Step 2 industries will be permitted to open including:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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