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Phase 4 Industries Can Reopen in Mass on Monday

By Patrick Sargent | May 9, 2021
Last Updated: July 8, 2021

Massachusetts moves ahead with plans previously announced to reopen certain Phase 4 industries on Monday, May 10, according to Governor Charlie Baker’s office.

Gov. Baker’s office said since March 22, when the Governor announced further reopening on May 10, daily new COVID-19 cases dropped by 45%, hospitalizations dropped by 23%, and deaths dropped by 69%.

Over 3.9 million people are fully or partially vaccinated in Massachusetts. The state is on track to meet its goal of exceeding 4 million fully vaccinated by the end of June.

Outdoor Phase 4 industries eligible to reopen on Monday include:

  • Amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks operating at 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health [DPH].
  • Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events, with staggered starts and other appropriate safety measures, after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH.
  • Large capacity venues, such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open at 12% capacity as part of Phase 4, Step 1, can increase capacity to 25%.
  • Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments moderate and high-risk sports.
  • Singing with strict distancing requirements at indoor performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses

The Governor’s office also advised grocery stores and retail stores with a pharmacy department to consider dedicated hours of operation for seniors. The requirement for these businesses to offer senior hours ends on Monday.

Changes Scheduled for May 29

Massachusetts plans additional changes to restrictions effective May 29, contingent on continued positive public health trends.

Additional sectors that eligible to open on May 29 include:

  • Parades, street festivals and agricultural festivals, after submitting safety plans to the local board of health including measures for maintaining social distance, staffing and operations plans and hygiene and cleaning protocols.
  • Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, which will be subject to restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance floors.

The state expects to update guidance for restaurants to eliminate the food service requirement with alcohol service. It also expects an increase to the maximum table size to 10. Both changes are subject to public health data trends.

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