COVID-19 Update
On February 25, 2021, Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito and Secretary Kennealy announced updates pertaining to the state’s reopening process and sector specific guidance. These include:
1.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
2.Updated Capacity Limits: Effective March 1st the following industries will increase to 50% capacity. Employees will be exempt from capacity restrictions in all 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
3.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.
4.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
5.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.