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Updated Reopening Guidance from Governor Baker

Posted on: February 25, 2021 - 3:32pm
Reopenig Resources

Today, Governor Baker announced changes in the State's reopening process and sector-specific guidance.  Find the details below.  This information can be also be found posted on our website under the Reopening Resources tab.

NEW UPDATES ON FEBRUARY 25, 2021: Today at 1:00 PM, Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and Secretary Kennealy made several announcements pertaining to the state’s reopening process and sector-specific guidance. These include:

Phase 3, Step 2: Effective March 1st, the Commonwealth will move forward into Phase 3, Step 2. This will reopen:

  • Indoor performance venues such as concert halls, theaters, and other indoor performance spaces
    • Open at 50% capacity with 500 person max
  • Indoor recreational activities with greater potential for contact: laser tag, roller skating, trampolines, obstacle courses
    • Open at 50% capacity

Updated Capacity Limits: Effective March 1st the following industries will increase to 50% capacity. Employees will be exempt from capacity restrictions in all of these industries:

  • Arcades & Other Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Businesses
  • Close Contact Personal Services
  • Driving and Flight Schools
  • Fitness Centers and Health Clubs
  • Golf Facilities (indoor)
  • Libraries
  • Operators of Lodging (common spaces)
  • Museums, Cultural & Historic Facilities, Guided Tours
  • Office Spaces
  • Places of Worship
  • Sectors not Otherwise Addressed
  • Theaters and Performance Venues
  • Relevant EEA Industries – Youth sports spectators etc.

The following industries remain unaffected by capacity limits:

  •  Drive-in movie theaters
  •  Construction
  •  Laboratories
  •  Manufacturing

Additional Guidance Changes:

Effective March 1st, Restaurants will no longer be subject to a % seated capacity limit and their capacity is limited only by the requirement of 6 feet between tables

  •  Musical performances allowed in restaurants (with appropriate distancing)
  •  90-minute time limit on tables stays in place
  •  Limit of no more than 6 per table stays in place
  •  Food courts remain closed

Effective March 1st, Fitting rooms may open in all retail businesses

Gatherings Limit: Effective March 22nd, subject to public health data, the gatherings limit will increase for event venues and public settings, but will stay the same in private settings:

  • Event Venues and Public Settings:
    • 100 indoor
    • 150 outdoor
  • Private Settings (such as private residences):
    • 10 indoors
    • 25 outdoors

Phase 4, Step 1: Effective March 22nd, subject to public health data, the Commonwealth will move into Phase 4, Step 1:

  • Indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks will reopen with a 12% capacity limit
  •  A large venue is defined as a having a capacity of 5,000 or more
  •  Venues with capacity under 5,000 are subject to the Indoor and Outdoor Performance Venue guidance
  • Large venues will be required to submit a safety plan to the Department of Public Health
  • Overnight Camps will be allowed to open for Summer 2021
  • Exhibition and Convention Halls may reopen, subject to gathering limits and event rules
  • Dance floors may open at weddings and events only

All other Phase 4 industries will not be able to open until a future reopening step. Those include:

  • Road races, street festivals, and parades, and fairs
  • Amusement parks, theme parks, outdoor water parks
  • Indoor water parks and indoor/outdoor ball pits
  • Saunas, hot-tubs, steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs, and other facilities
  • Beer gardens/ breweries/ wineries/ distilleries
  • Bars, dance clubs, and nightclubs—venues offering entertainment, beverages, or dancing and not providing seated food service

Updated guidance can be found at www.mass.gov/reopening.