Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced his plan to re-open the state’s economy on Monday morning. Massachusetts’ re-opening will take place in four phases, with the first businesses allowed to re-open immediately. Additional business will open on May 25, as part of phase one.
The four phases—Start, Cautious, Vigilant, and New Normal—will each last for a minimum of three weeks, with the possibility of reverting to a previous phase at any time. Moving to a new phase will be dependent on meeting state health metrics related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full coverage of this story from the NEPR Newsroom.
Massachusetts Re-Opening Plan Highlights:
Phase One: Start
Begins May 18, 2020, with additional businesses opening May 25, 2020.
Limited industries resume operations with severe restrictions
Included Businesses/Industries:
- Essential businesses (May 18)
- Manufacturing (May 18)
- Construction (May 18)
- Lab space
- Office space
- Limited personal services:
- Hair salons/barber shops
- Pet grooming
- Car washes
- Retail
- Curbside pickup
- Expanded care at community health centers and hospitals
- Recreation & outdoor activities
- Beaches & parks
- Drive-in theaters
- Some athletic fields & courts
- Most fishing, hunting, and boating
- Outdoor gardens, zoos, and public installations
Phase Two: Cautious
Start date TBD
Additional industries resume operations with restrictions and capacity limitations
Included Businesses/Industries(with restrictions/capacity limits):
- Retail
- Restaurants
- Lodging
- Additional personal services
- Nail salons
- Day spas
- Expanded health care services and routine care
- Day programs
- Campgrounds
- Playgrounds
- Public and community pools
- Youth sports
Phase Three: Vigilant
Start date TBD
Additional Industries resume operations with guidance
Included Businesses/Industries (with restrictions/capacity limits):
- Bars
- Arts & Entertainment
- Casinos
- Fitness clubs & gyms
- Museums
- All other businesses, excluding nightclubs and large venues
- Additional services and recreation activities
- Youth sports with games and tournaments (crowd size limits)
Phase 4: New Normal
Start date TBD
Development of vaccines and/or treatments enable resumption of “new normal”
Included Businesses/Industries:
- Full resumption of activity in the “new normal”
For a full list of industries and guidelines, visit mass.gov.
