Massachusetts Rolls Back to Phase III, Step I

MediaNews Group via Getty Images

BOSTON MA. – JUNE 26: Mass. Gov Charlie Baker gives his daily update on the State on June 26, 2020 in Boston, MA. (Staff Photo By Stuart Cahill/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)

CAMERON MUNIZ, Editor
December 14, 2020

Governor Charlie Baker announced last week that Massachusetts will be rolling back to Step III, Phase I of the Massachusetts Reopening Plan on December 13th

This rollback follows a surge in cases after Thanksgiving, and anticipates another spike after December’s holidays.

Some businesses like indoor theaters and performance venues and higher-contact indoor recreation businesses will be forced to close in correspondence with these new regulations.

New restrictions will also be imposed on restaurants. These include the following:

  • Patrons must wear masks at all times except when eating and drinking,
  • No more than six patrons per table
  • 90-minute time limit
  • No musical performances
  • No food court seating

The new restrictions coincide with states like New York and California that are also imposing new regulations.

Optimism is increasing as the F.D.A recently approved Pfizer’s mRNA based vaccine.

Despite the optimism, it is almost certain this winter will be one of the darkest in American history.