Reopening Massachusetts
CURRENT STATE: Phase IV, Step 2 for certain industries (details)
***ANNOUNCEMENT OF FULL REOPENING CONSISTENT WITH CDC's GUIDANCE FOR VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS EFFECTIVE 5/29/21***
WATCH GOVERNOR BAKER'S Mayb 17, 2021 - 11:00AM COVID-19 UPDATE IN ITS ENTIRETY: https://loom.ly/oqfE-40.
Key points are included below.
Watch Gov. Charlie Baker's latest updates on MA COVID-19 response efforts. mass.gov/covid-live
April 27, 2021 - Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, Secretary Kennealy, and Secretary Sudders announced a series of updates related to the Commonwealth’s reopening and sector-specific protocols.
1* Effective April 30th the Face Coverings Order will be relaxed for some outdoor settings
a. Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places, with certain exceptions noted in the sector-specific rules (e.g., eating, sitting in your own office)
b. Face coverings will be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times required by sector-specific guidance (e.g., at events or gatherings)
c. At Events and Gatherings:
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In public spaces and venues: Required at all times, indoor and outdoor (except for when eating or drinking)
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In private homes: Both indoor and outdoor, recommended but not required for small gatherings at private home if attendees maintain social distance from non-household members; required for events
d. The $300 fine as an enforcement mechanism will be eliminated
2* Effective May 10th the following industries will be allowed to reopen and sector-specific guidance will be updated
a. The Commonwealth will reopen some Outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 Industries. This will reopen:
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Amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks at 50% capacity. Operators will be required to submit safety plans to the Department of Public Health
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Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events. Race organizers will be required to submit a safety plan to a Local Board of Health or State Department of Public Health, depending on length of race and number of communities involved
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Youth and Adult Amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports
b. 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%
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Venue operators will not be required to submit new plans to DPH if they have already submitted
c. Singing will be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements
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Performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses will be permitted to have indoor singing, following the requirements outlined in the Theater and Performance Venue guidance (to be updated)
3* Effective May 29th the following updates to gatherings and additional Phase 4 Step 2 industries will go into effect
a. Subject to public health and vaccination data, the gatherings limit will increase for event venues, public settings AND private settings.
All gatherings:
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200 people indoors
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250 people outdoors
b. Subject to public health and vaccination data, additional Phase 4 Step 2 industries will be permitted to open and food will no longer be required with alcohol service
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Street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals at 50% of previous year capacity. Organizers will be required to submit safety plan to Local Board of Health
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Bars, Beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, subject to restaurant rules. Seated service only, 90 minute limit, no dance floors
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The restaurant guidance will be updated to allow the following:
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Food will no longer be required with alcohol service
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Table party size will increase to 10
4* Effective August 1st remaining industries permitted to reopen, industry restrictions lifted, 100% capacity allowed
a. Remaining Phase 4 industries permitted to open
i. Dance clubs, and nightclubs
ii. Saunas, hot-tubs, steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs and other facilities
iii. Indoor water parks
iv. Ball pits
b. End of Restrictions
i. Capacity Increase to 100% for all industries
ii. Gatherings limit rescinded
iii. All industry specific rules and guidance lifted, general business guidance encouraged
iv. Masks still required indoors
Updates will be posted at www.mass.gov/reopening.
We've launched the COVID-19 Helpline: (774) 330-3001. Callers can speak with trained Medical Reserve Corps volunteers Mon. through Frid., 8 am – 4:30 pm, who can answer questions regarding COVID-19 testing sites, vaccine rollout information, + more.
For all vaccine rollout updates, latest Barnstable County Regional Vaccine Clinics and more, please visit www.barnstablecountyhealth.org
Cape Cod Regional Vaccine Consortium FAQs
Find answers to questions about the Cape Cod Regional Vaccine Consortium HERE.