Citing an uptick in Covid-19 cases statewide, Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Friday that the state would pump the brakes on its slow reopening process, issuing new orders that further limit outdoor gathering size and the service of alcohol at restaurants.
The new guidance and orders on Friday indefinitely postpone the second step of the phase three of the state’s reopening plan, reduce the limit on outdoor gatherings from 100 to 50 people and expand face covering rules to in-home gatherings of 10 or more people.
Phase three of the reopening process allowed movie theaters, gymnasiums and other outdoor music venues to open throughout the state. But indoor music venues, indoor recreational activities — such as climbing walls and laser tag — and theatrical venues must now remain closed as well. Bars, arcades and nightclubs all included in phase four of the state’s reopening process — must also remain closed.
During the press briefing Friday, the governor said that despite positive trends statewide since May, the percentage of positive tests had recently increased and numbers had climbed, causing him to halt the reopening process and indicating that the virus was likely here for the long-haul.
“This slight uptick in cases and people not adhering to the guidance we have put forth in Massachusetts means we cannot move forward at this time or at any time in the near future,” the governor said.
The Vineyard has reported four new positive cases in the past week, three of them from the hospital — indicating that the patients are likely symptomatic.
The governor’s new rules on Friday also require that restaurants can only serve alcohol with food orders, hoping to clamp down on violations contact tracers had noticed throughout the state.
“Bars are closed in Massachusetts,” Governor Baker said at a press briefing Friday. “And bars masquerading as restaurants also need to be closed.”
The governor said there had been a small rise in the rate of positive cases in certain communities throughout the state, including the Cape. He also said that numerous large gatherings, weddings and parties had been reported by the state’s contact tracers, calling out Falmouth and Chatham by name.
The new guidelines on Friday also came with a stern warning from the governor that local health officials, the alcoholic beverage commission and public safety officials, including the police, had been authorized to enforce rules and issue fines regarding large gatherings and guideline violations. He also announced the creation of a Covid enforcement task force, and authorized parks departments to shut down public spaces where gathering rules were violated.
“Now we are seeing the virus escalate in certain communities around the commonwealth and we have to put together a plan working together to stop it,” Governor Baker said. “This fight against Covid-19 is far from over.”
Comments (13)
Comments
Comment policy »