FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date of Record: July 2, 2020
Phase III - "Vigilant" of the state’s plan will be deployed Monday, July 6, 2020 allowing additional businesses such as gyms, sporting events, casinos, museums, and movie theaters to reopen.
On Monday, July 6, 2020, the following businesses will be eligible to reopen in Step One of Phase III, subject to industry-specific rules concerning capacity and operations:
- Movie theaters and outdoor performance venues;
- Museums, cultural and historical sites;
- Fitness centers and health clubs;
- Certain indoor recreational activities with low potential for contact;
- Professional sports teams, under the authority of league-wide rules, may hold games without spectators
Please visit Re-opening: Sector-specific protocols and best practices.
Revised Gatherings Order:
Under the updated gatherings order, indoor gatherings are limited to eight people per 1,000 square feet, but should not exceed 25 people in a single enclosed, indoor space.
Outdoor gatherings in enclosed spaces are limited to 25 percent of the facility’s maximum permitted occupancy, with a maximum of 100 people in a single enclosed outdoor space. This includes community events, civic events, sporting events, concerts, conventions and more. This order does not apply to outdoor, unenclosed gatherings if proper social distancing measures are possible.
This revised order does not supersede previously issued sector guidance, and is effective beginning Monday, July 6, 2020. It will be effective Monday, July 13, 2020 in the City of Boston.
Public Health Guidance:
In Phase III, health care providers may continue to provide in-person procedures and services as allowed in Phase II, with the addition of certain group treatment programs and day programs. These programs include adult day health, day rehabilitation programs, and substance abuse services day treatment and outpatient services. Certain human services programs can reopen including community based day services for adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities and psycho-social rehabilitation clubhouses.
Health care providers are subject to compliance with all mandatory safety standards, and must continue to utilize prioritization policies established in Phase II for care delivery and scheduling, as well as monitor patient volume for non-essential, elective procedures and services.
Read the full guidance HERE.
In Phase III, visitation guidelines have been updated for 24/7 congregate care facilities and programs overseen by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, including the Departments of Developmental Services, Youth Services, Children and Families, Public Health, Mental Health and the Mass Rehabilitation Commission. Offsite visits, including overnight visits, will be allowed, under specific guidelines. Other updated guidelines, including visitation for long term care facilities, will be released later today. Complete visitation guidance is available at www.mass.gov/hhs/reopening.
MassHealth will also extend its current telehealth flexibility through at least the end of the year to ensure member access to critical health care services and encourage continued adherence to preventative public health precautions.
Full list and safety protocols available at www.mass.gov/reopening.
GENERAL BUSINESS GUIDANCE FOR REOPENING -SELF-CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT
- COVID-19 control plan template – Template that satisfies the written control plan requirement for self-certification
- Compliance attestation poster – Poster that customer facing businesses are required to print, sign, and post in an area within the business premises that is visible to workers and visitors
- Employer and Worker posters – Posters that businesses can print and display within the business premises to describe the rules for maintaining social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning and disinfecting
BACKGROUND:
Governor Charlie Baker previously announced that the re-opening will take place over Four Phases: “Start,” “Cautious,” “Vigilant,” and “New Normal.” Each phase will be triggered by health indicators, including testing results and infection rates, hospitalizations and other metrics. All businesses and expanded activities, including governmental services, will need to comply with mandatory safety standards for workplaces that were previously announced, including social distancing, hygiene protocols, staffing / operations, cleaning and disinfecting.
Please visit Re-opening Massachusetts link below to view the comprehensive plan on safely re-opening the Massachusetts economy, getting people back to work, and easing social restrictions while minimizing the health impacts of COVID-19.