By Beth David, Editor
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker lifted some restrictions on businesses in the state effective 3/1, moving the state into Phase 3, Step 2 of the reopening plan. Hospitalizations and deaths in Massachusetts due to COVID-19 continue to trend downward., but officials caution that vigilance with mitigation, such as mask wearing and frequent hand washing, should continue.
As of 3/1, restaurants no longer have a capacity limit, but restrictions on seating are still in place, such as tables being six feet apart.
Entertainment venues, such as concert halls and other performance spaces are allowed to open at 50% capacity with a 500-person maximum.
Gyms, offices, museums, guided tours, and other similiar businesses may open with certain restrictions, including: wearing masks; 50% capacity limit, or 10 perons per 1,000 sf, excluding staff; six feet of space between work areas or partitions; markings to show six feet of distance.
Phase 3, Step 2 also includes roller skating rinks, trampolines, obstacle courses, laser tag.
Visit https://www.mass.gov/resource/reopening-sector-specific-protocols-and-best-practices for detailed guidance on specific businesses.
The state is on track to move to Phase 4 on 3/22.
The state is still preferring mass vaccination sites instead of smaller vaccination clinics.
The former Circuit City in Dartmouth is now open for vaccinations. Individuals 65 and older, and people with 2+ certain medical conditions, and residents and staff of low income and affordable senior housing are available to receive the vaccine. Medical conditions include cancer, kidney disease, COPD, Down Syndrome, heart conditions, obesity, smoking, diabetes, asthma. Visit
In addition to the mass vaccination sites, some pharmacies also have the vaccine.
To schedule an appointment, visit https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine. Individuals without access to the internet or who are unable to schedule their appointment online can call toll free 2-1-1 or (877) 211-6277 for assistance.
On 3/1/21, there were 980 new, confirmed cases in Mass., bringing the total to 551,667 cases; 28,867 active cases. There were 37 new, confirmed deaths, bringing the total to 15,859 in the state. There were 775 COVID-19 patients in the hospital; 187 patients in the ICU; and 116 intubated.
As of 2/25/21, Acushnet was still in the red zone, with 61 new cases, for a total of 1138 confirmed cases, and a 6.4% positivity rate.
Fairhaven dropped to the yellow zone, with 69 new cases, for a total of 1730 cases, and a positivity rate of 3.45%.’
Visit https://www.mass.gov/ to find data on all the municipalities in Massachusetts.
The “Weekly Public Health Report,” which has detailed data on towns, is updated weekly on Thursdays.
As of March 2, Mass. had administered 1,813,992 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
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