Massachusetts to reopen in phases

On Monday, Governor Charlie Baker outlined his detailed plan to reopen the economy over the next several weeks. It will happen in phases and each phase is contingent on Covid-19 metrics continuing to move in the right direction. Every business and entity planning on reopening must put cleaning and social distancing plans in place in order to stay compliant and to keep patrons and employees safe.

Detailed information on the plan and the metrics being tracked by the Baker administration can be found here. Also, the Boston Globe has extensive coverage of the plan which can be found here.

Summary of the reopen phases

Phase 1 – Start

Starting today the following categories are allowed to operate with safety policies in place:

• Manufacturing
• Construction sites and projects
• Houses of worship

Starting next week

• Hair and pet grooming
• Curbside retail
• Recreational pot shops
• Labs
• Offices (ex-Boston) operating at 25% capacity
• Beaches, parks and fields

Phase 2 – Cautious

If tracked health metrics are continuing to trend in the right direction, this will begin on June 8th.

• Retail fuller opening
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Nail Salons
• Day Spas
• Campgrounds
• Playgrounds
• Community pools

Phase 3 – Vigilant

If tracked health metrics are continuing to trend in the right direction, this will begin on June 29th.

• Gym and Fitness centers
• Bars
• Casinos
• Museums
• Youth sports with crowd limits
• MBTA regular service

Hopefully if everyone continues to play our part with social distancing guidelines to keep people safe, after Phase 3 we will settle into the new normal. I would recommend that business owners use the information and resources on the Mass.gov site in order to assist in developing a reopening plan.

Bill Nickles