Massachusetts Restrictions for COVID-19
November 3, 2020 – Yesterday, Governor Baker announced new restrictions aimed at curtailing the recent spike in COVID-19 cases across the Commonwealth. They include:
Stay at Home DPH Advisory
- Stay home between 10pm and 5am
- Would still allow activities such as going to work, running essential errands, and taking a walk
Early Closure of Businesses Executive Order
- Restaurants must cease in-person dining at 9:30pm; they may continue to do takeout/delivery of food and non-alcoholic beverages, but not of alcohol
- Liquor stores and other retail establishments that sell alcohol must cease alcohol sales at 9:30 (but may continue to sell other products); adult use cannabis retailers must cease cannabis sales at 9:30; medical marijuana sales would be allowed after 9:30
- Gyms, theaters, and casinos will also have to close by 9:30pm.
- Certain other establishments must close to the public (not to staff) at 9:30
Gatherings Executive Order
- Gathering size for indoor gatherings at private residences reduced to 10 (from 25)
- Indoor gatherings at public spaces and venues (e.g. wedding venues) remains at 25
- Gathering size for outdoor gatherings at private residences reduced to 25 (from 50)
- Outdoor gatherings at public spaces and venues (e.g. wedding venues) remains at 50 in Phase III, Step 1 communities, and 100 in Phase III, Step 2 communities
- All gatherings, in public and private spaces, must end and disperse by 9:30pm, except for religious and political gatherings
- Organizers of gatherings, including in private spaces, are required to report a known positive case to the LBOH and to cooperate with contact tracing
- Fines for violating the order will be $500 for every person over the limit
Face Coverings Executive Order
- Removes language that only requires you to wear a face covering when you can’t keep six feet of social distance, so that a face covering would be required in any public space, regardless of distancing
- Allows employers to require employees who claim to be unable to wear a face covering because of a medical or disabling condition to provide proof. Also allow schools to require students to substantiate that they cannot wear a mask because of a medical reason or disability, where student participates in in-person learning.
- Requires face coverings in cars if carpooling with anyone outside of your household
Effective Date
- Effective date of all orders and advisories will be 12:01am on Friday 11/6