By Beth David, Editor
Massachusetts has continued to see a decline in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, prompting Governor Charlie Baker to increasingly allow more businesses to open up, putting Mass. in the third phase of its four-phase approach to re-opening businesses.
Restaurants are now able to have indoor seating, although they have strict, reduced occupancy requirements. In Step One of Phase III, begun last week the following businesses were allowed to open, 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
Visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/reopening-massachusetts for details on which businesses are open.
Since mid-April, the 7-day average for the positive COVID-19 test rate is down 94 percent, the 3-day average of hospitalized patients is down 79 percent and the number of hospitals in surge is down 86 percent.
The new guidelines also include a change in the number of people allowed in public gatherings.
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.
Visitation guidelines have been updated for 24/7 congregate care facilities and programs overseen by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. 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.
The state has also lifted quarantine restrictions from anyone in the New England states, New York and New Jersey.
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