Like many of you I have been waiting to hear Governor Baker share the details of his Four-Phase opening plan. I am still digesting the details that were released a couple of hours ago, and I have many questions that I will be asking as well. In the meantime, I thought it was important to get the details that were disclosed today out to you as soon as possible.
There will be more to talk about, and I look forward to hearing from you and sharing more information. If you are able to join me please do this Wednesday, 5/20 at 4PM for a town hall on this very topic. I will be joined by local and state leaders available to answer the questions we can and to hear more about your concerns. You can sign up to join the town hall here.
The MA Re-opening Plan
This morning, the Reopening Advisory Board sent a report to the Governor describing the state's Four-Phase plan to re-open our economy. This plan organizes the re-opening of various sectors of industry into four phases, each lasting at least three weeks. If public health data trends are negative, certain industries, regions, or the entire state may return to an earlier phase of the reopening.
Any currently open or re-opening business must comply with industry-specific mandatory safety standards (if applicable) and have until May 25 to do so.
Phase One
Phase one of reopening will begin today, Monday May 18th. Starting today the following business are able to continue to operate or open:
Essential businesses stay open an continue to operate
- Must meet any applicable safety standards by May 25 (see link above)
Places of worship
- Places of worship will be required to limit occupancy to 40% of the building's maximum permitted occupancy level, and attendees who are not members of the same household will be required to sit at least 6 feet apart. You can learn more about requirements and best practices for the reopening of places of worship here.
Manufacturing
- Sector-specific workplace standards for manufacturing, a Manufacturing Protocol Summary, and a Manufacturing Checklist are available here: https://bit.ly/2z126vg.
Construction
- Sector-specific workplace standards for construction, a Construction Protocol Summary, and a Construction Checklist are available here: https://bit.ly/3dVh5FK.
Hospitals and community health centers
- Hospitals and community health centers will be able to provide high priority preventative care, pediatric care, and treatment for high risk patients and conditions.
Starting next Monday, May 25th, office spaces (outside of Boston), laboratories and life science facilities, hair salons and barber shops, car washes, and pet grooming will be allowed to reopen. Sector-specific guidance can be found here.
Related Updates
- High risk individuals should continue to work from home if possible.
- MBTA riders will be required to continue to wear face-coverings on public transit.
- Emergency child care will be reserved for those workers who are considered essential, based upon the state's current "Phase" of re-opening.Gatherings of 10 or more people remain prohibited.
- All travelers to Massachusetts are urged to self-quarantine for 14 days.
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Marjorie