Massachusetts Restrictions for COVID-19

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