Today, February 25, 2021, at 1:00 PM, 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 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
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
