Today, Governor Baker announced Phase I of the four-part phased reopening of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Comprehensive details on the phased reopening can be found here at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts
The phased reopening plan provides important detail around workplace safety, the phased reopening of parks and outdoor spaces, expansion of construction, and the reopening of limited personal services.
The goal of this phased reopening plan is to methodically allow businesses, services, and activities to resume while avoiding a resurgence of COVID-19 that could overwhelm our healthcare system and erase the progress we have made so far.
Each phase will last a minimum of three weeks and could last longer before moving to the next phase.
If public health data trends are negative, specific industries, regions, and/or the entire Commonwealth may need to return to an earlier phase.
The Commonwealth will partner with industries to draft Sector-Specific Protocols in advance of future phases (example: restaurant-specific protocols will be drafted in advance of Phase 2.)
If we all work together to defeat COVID-19, we can proceed through each phase.
Phase 1 Overarching Tenets
Social Guidance
- People over the age of 65 and people who have underlying health conditions – who are at high risk for COVID-19 – should continue to stay home except for essential errands such as going to the grocery store and to attend to healthcare needs.
- Gatherings remain less than 10 people.
- All residents are advised to leave home only for healthcare, worship, and permitted work, shopping, and outdoor activities.
- All residents are REQUIRED to cover their face when they cannot maintain six feet of social distance in public.
- All residents are advised to wash their hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soapy water.
- All residents are advised to be vigilant, monitor for symptoms, and stay home if you feel sick.
Safer at Home Advisory
What Safer At Home Means
- Only leave home for health care, permitted work, shopping, and outdoor activities
- When going to the pharmacy ask if you can fill your prescriptions for 90 days if possible; for some medications this is not allowed. If you are at high-risk, try to use a mail-order service.
- Do not participate in close contact activities such as pick-up sports games.
- Use remote modes of communication like phone or video chat instead of visiting friends or family who are high risk for COVID-19.
- Refrain from visiting nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, or other residential care settings.
- Parents should limit play dates for children.
- All travelers to MA urged to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Phase 1 (Effective May 18, 2020)
Upon Implementation of checklist/safety protocols, the following industries can reopen:
- Manufacturing and Construction – Code website to updated 5/19 with new protocols
- Expanded Curbside Retail
- Houses of Worship (40% capacity limit)
Phase 1 (Effective May 25, 2020)
Please see the Governor’s report for industry-specific restrictions.
- Lab space/Office space (25% capacity)
- Limited Personal
- Hair Salons
- Pet grooming
- Car washes
- Retail: Curbside pick-up
- Beaches
- Parks (no playgrounds/play structures)
- Drive-in theaters
- Some athletic fields and courts (no pickup, or organized sports; contactless only)
As we have throughout the public health pandemic, the Town has been positioning ourselves to respond to Phase I of the community reopening, and have begun communicating with applicable businesses, and religious entities, regarding their reopening strategies
Over the next two weeks, the Town will begin to update policies and procedures following guidance from the State. Please stay tuned to the daily update for more information regarding the reopening of public buildings.
For questions on the reopening, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] or 781-918-4001
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