I hope this finds you all healthy and safe. Below are important updates about the full economic reopening and changes to pandemic mask and in-person gathering rules. As always, we will continue to keep you apprised of available resources and trusted sources of information regarding the public health crisis.

Constituent service is our top priority. My Legislative Aides and I continue to work remotely and our office is fully functioning. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance.

Effective May 29, all remaining industry COVID-19 restrictions and capacity limits will be removed. The gathering limit will also no longer apply.

The Commonwealth's face covering order will be rescinded on May 29, and it will be replaced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Mandates for face coverings will only continue to apply in a number of specific settings, including on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.

The current State of Emergency for Massachusetts due to the pandemic will end on June 15.

The Governor's Press Release related to this updated reopening timeline and guidance can be found here.

Children 12 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Parents may register a child to receive the vaccine at any location offering the Pfizer vaccine. Contact your pediatrician with any questions about the vaccine and visit mass.gov/COVIDvaccine.

Appointments are offered based on eligibility and availability of appointments at nearby locations. Learn more here.

Effective May 18, youth and amateur sports guidance will no longer require face coverings for youth participating in outdoor sports. On May 29, all youth and amateur sports restrictions will be lifted.

The MA Youth Sports Guidance can be found here.

Following guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Early Education and Care, effective May 18 masks will no longer be required for outdoor activities such as recess, and children will be permitted to share objects in K-12 and childcare settings.

The Baker Administration will release updated guidance for summer camps, effective May 29, which we anticipate will eliminate a masks requirement for outdoor activities.

To learn more, use these links to the DESE guidance and EEC guidance.

Beginning this weekend on May 22, the new schedules for MBTA ferry services will resume direct Boston service from Charlestown and Hingham and weekend Hingham/Hull ferry service. In addition, partial service to Logan Airport via the Hingham/Hull line will resume. More information can be found here.

Effective April 5, the MBTA commuter rail began operating on the Spring 2021 schedule. The Spring 2021 schedule provides more trains during the middle of day, in an effort to provide more consistent service options, and is an overall service increase compared to the previous Winter Schedule.

Responsive to rider feedback, the MBTA preserved weeknight service after 9 PM. Bicycles will continue to be permitted on all trains across all lines as part of the Spring 2021 schedule. Read more about the changes from the MBTA press release here or go to mbta.com/commuterrail.