Restaurant Recovery Update 2.25.21
Massachusetts announces significant progress in reopening process 
Massachusetts will advance to Step 2 of Phase III on March 1; Phase IV planned to start March 22
 
On Monday, Massachusetts will move back to Phase III, Step 2. This is will permit restaurants to remove capacity limits and operate with six-foot social distancing, as they did prior to the November. Additonally musical performances will be permitted at restaurants.
  • Six people per table and 90-minute limits remain in place for now, but we will continue to work on these regulations 
  • Indoor performance venues such as concert halls, theaters, and other indoor performance spaces will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity with no more than 500 persons
  • Indoor recreational activities with greater potential for contact (laser tag, roller skating, trampolines, obstacle courses) will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity
 
Residents must continue to wear masks and are encouraged to avoid contact outside of their immediate households. The Travel Advisory and other public health orders remain in effect.
 
Gathering Changes and Phase IV Start on March 22
Provided public health metrics continue to improve, effective on March 22, all communities in Massachusetts will move into Step 1 of Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan. 
 
This is a very important development for a very large segemnt of our industry that has not been able to open for almost an entire year. Private venues will finally be able to get back in the business of having events.
 
Gathering limits for event venues and in public settings will increase to:
  • 100 people indoors; and 
  • 150 people outdoors
 
Dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other events only.
 
Effective on the planned advancement to Step 1 of Phase IV, the following industries will be permitted to operate at a strict 12% capacity limit after submitting a plan to the Department of Public Health:
  • Indoor and outdoor stadiums
  • Arenas
  • Ballparks
 
Other Phase four businesses, including bars, nightclubs, beer gardens and the like will have re-opening dates announced at a later time. While we remain focused on the lifting of additional protocols and the full reopening of our industry, these are significant steps forward.
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Massachusetts Restaurant Association
160 East Main Street, Suite 2, Westborough, MA 01581
Phone: (508) 303-9905  www.themassrest.org