MASSACHUSETTS — Several new coronavirus restrictions go into effect at midnight, including a stay-at-home advisory, stricter mask mandate, business curfew and reduced gathering limits.
Gov. Charlie Baker announced the measures Monday in response to the state’s surging coronavirus cases.
“The simple truth is this: Too many of us have become complacent in our daily lives. I know it’s hard for people to hear me say this time and time again, but it’s true,” Baker said. “We’re doing much better than many other states and many other countries, but here too we’ve let down our guard and we have work to do.”
Stay-at-home advisory — The Department of Public Health reinstated the advisory to be in effect between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Residents are asked to remain home, only leaving for work, school or a number of essential reasons like going to the grocery store or receiving deliveries.
“I think what we’re trying to say here is by 10 o’clock people should use their heads and be with the people they live with instead of continuing to perpetuate this constant churning of folks, especially in informal settings in places and spaces where there aren’t any rules and there isn’t any guidance and people aren’t adhering to any of the distance or mask rules that are effective at reducing the spread,” Baker said.Subscribe
Mask mandate — Anyone over the age of 5 must wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when in a public place, whether that place is inside or outside. The adjustment here from the previous order is requiring people to wear face coverings regardless of social distancing. Medical exemptions still apply, but employers and schools are allowed to require proof from employees and students, respectively, who claim them.
State and local health officials can enforce the order and can request the help of police. MBTA Transit Police can enforce it on the transit system. Offenders may receive civil fines of up to $300 per violation.
Business closures — Businesses across a number of industries must close at 9:30 p.m. Employees can remain in the business, but the public cannot enter or be served. An exception is restaurants, which can fulfill takeout and delivery orders after 9:30 p.m.
Here is a list of the businesses and services affected by the early closures:
- Restaurants, which can still offer food and non-alcoholic beverages for takeout and delivery after 9:30 p.m.
- Arcades and other indoor and outdoor recreation
- Indoor and outdoor events
- Indoor and outdoor theaters, movie theaters, and performance venues
- Drive-in movie theaters
- Youth and adult amateur sports activities
- Golf facilities
- Recreational boating and boating businesses
- Outdoor recreational experiences and educational activities
- Casinos, horse racing tracks, and simulcast facilities
- Driving and flight schools
- Zoos, botanical gardens, wildlife reserves, and nature centers
- Close contact personal services
- Fitness centers and health clubs
- Indoor and outdoor pools (public and semi-public swimming pools)
- Museums/cultural and historical facilities/guided tours
Reduced gathering limits — Gathering limits are being reduced to 10 for indoor gatherings and 25 for outdoor ones. These include private residences, but exempts event venues and some businesses.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh expressed the importance of following the measures while acknowledging some fatigue among people.
“I want to be clear, these measures are there to help us stop the spread of the virus,” Walsh said this week. “These are not easy to do. These are in line with the cautious approach that we’ve been taking in Boston from the very beginning of this pandemic.”
There were 1,628 new coronavirus cases reported statewide Wednesday, a new high during this most recent wave of the virus. Public health officials also announced 27 new deaths and 502 hospitalizations, both significant increases.
PEABODY, PATCH
