With Covid-19 cases holding steady on the Island and trending downward throughout the state, Gov. Charlie Baker announced preliminary guidelines on Friday for shuttered restaurant and lodging services that could allow the beleaguered Island industries to expand service as soon as June 8.
A report from the boards of health also showed that all but two of the Island’s 29 positive coronavirus had recovered or were no longer being monitored, marking an improvement from weeks prior.
In his daily press briefing, the governor said restaurants would be allowed to offer outdoor seating — with proper social-distancing precautions — immediately after enacting the second phase of the state’s reopening guidelines. Indoor seating, with strict limitations and guidelines, would come later in the second phase and would be dependent upon public health metrics, according to Lieut. Gov. Karen Polito.
“Pursuing an outdoor strategy to begin with is . . . an easier and simpler way for someone to reintroduce themselves to dining,” the governor said at the briefing.
“And it is spring,” he added.
Restaurants have been relegated to takeout only service since the governor enacted his stay-at-home order in late March, and were not included in the first phase of the governor’s reopening plan — to the disappointment of many restaurant proprietors on the Island.
In response, down-Island towns have been mapping out creative solutions to allow for expanded restaurant service, if it is allowed. In Edgartown, town administrator James Hagerty has proposed shutting down portions of Main street and creating zones for outdoor seating, while selectmen in Oak Bluffs have also discussed outdoor seating on Circuit avenue.
The governor has previously stated that each phase of the reopening plan is slated to last at least three weeks, leaving June 8 as the earliest possible date that restaurants could offer outdoor seating. The governor is set to announce on June 6 when phase two of the reopening plan can officially begin.
The preliminary guidelines also provided strict regulations for indoor dining that would reshape restaurant service.
Tables would have to be six feet apart or separated with a barrier; menus could not be reusable; masks would have to be worn at all times when not at the table; buffets and self-serve areas would remain closed; and parties would be limited to six people.
Lodging services, such as hotels, motels and short-term rentals, would be allowed to expand service at the beginning of phase two of the reopening plan as well, the governor announced on Friday. The governor’s stay-at-home order closed lodging services to anyone other than essential workers.
All hotels and short-term rentals would be required to inform their guests that the governor had issued guidance urging travelers to self-quarantine for 14 days when arriving in Massachusetts from out of state, as well as abide by stringent cleaning and sanitation protocols.
Statewide, coronavirus cases continued to decline, with the state reporting 617 new cases on Friday and 78 new deaths. The state has now had over 95,000 people test positive for the virus and 6,718 people die since the outbreak began.
On Island, cases remained steady on Friday. In their weekly expanded demographic update, the boards of health reported that all but the two most recent cases on Island had been “completed,” meaning that patients were no longer showing symptoms and had been released from isolation.
The Island has had 29 people test positive for the virus and eight people test positive for viral antibodies. The only two cases on-Island still in progress were reported on Tuesday and Thursday of this week.
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