Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts would advance to Step 2 of Phase III of the state’s reopening plan on Monday, March 1, and also announced its plan to transition to Step 1 of Phase IV on Monday, March 22. With public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction, including drops in average daily COVID cases and hospitalizations, and vaccination rates continuing to increase, the Administration is taking steps to continue to reopen the Commonwealth’s economy.
Residents must continue to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and are encouraged to avoid contact outside of their immediate households.
The Travel Advisory and other public health orders remain in effect.
Phase 3, Step 2
Effective March 1st, the Commonwealth will move forward into Phase 3, Step 2. This will reopen:
- Indoor performance venues such as concert halls, theaters, and other indoor performance spaces can open at 50% capacity with 500 person max
- Indoor recreational activities with greater potential for contact: laser tag, roller skating, trampolines, obstacle courses can open at 50% capacity
Updated Capacity Limits
Effective March 1st the following industries will increase to 50% capacity. Employees will be exempt from capacity restrictions in all of these industries:
- Arcades & Other Indoor and Outdoor Recreation Businesses
- Close Contact Personal Services
- Driving and Flight Schools
- Fitness Centers and Health Clubs
- Golf Facilities (indoor)
- Libraries
- Operators of Lodging (common spaces)
- Museums, Cultural & Historic Facilities, Guided Tours
- Office Spaces
- Places of Worship
- Sectors not Otherwise Addressed
- Theaters and Performance Venues
- Relevant EEA Industries – Youth sports spectators etc.
The following industries remain unaffected by capacity limits:
- Drive in movie theaters
- Construction
- Laboratories
- Manufacturing
Additional Guidance Changes
- Effective March 1st, Restaurants will no longer be subject to a % seated capacity limit and their capacity is limited only by the requirement of 6 feet between tables
- Musical performances allowed in restaurants (with appropriate distancing)
- 90 minute time limit on tables stays in place
- Limit of no more than 6 per table stays in place
- Food courts remain closed
- Effective March 1st, Fitting rooms may open in all retail businesses
Gatherings Limit
Effective March 22nd, subject to public health data, the gatherings limit will increase for event venues and public settings, but will stay the same in private settings:
- Event Venues and Public Settings:
- 100 indoor
- 150 outdoor
- Private Settings (such as private residences):
- 10 indoors
- 25 outdoors
Phase 4, Step 1
Effective March 22nd, subject to public health data, the Commonwealth will move into Phase 4, Step 1:
- Indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks will reopen with a 12% capacity limit
- A large venue is defined as a having a capacity of 5,000 or more
- Venues with capacity under 5,000 are subject to the Indoor and Outdoor Performance Venue guidance
- Large venues will be required to submit a safety plan to the Department of Public Health
- Overnight Camps will be allowed to open for Summer 2021
- Exhibition and Convention Halls may reopen, subject to gathering limits and event rules
- Dance floors may open at weddings and events only
All other Phase 4 industries will not be able to open until a future reopening step.
Those include:
- Road races, street festivals, and parades, and fairs
- Amusement parks, theme parks, outdoor water parks
- Indoor water parks and indoor/outdoor ball pits
- Saunas, hot-tubs, steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs, and other facilities
- Beer gardens/ breweries/ wineries/ distilleries
- Bars, dance clubs, and nightclubs—venues offering entertainment, beverages, or dancing and not providing seated food service
