Three major changes take effect in Massachusetts Monday regarding COVID guidelines; the state is moving into the final phase of reopening, relaxed travel restrictions are coming into effect and outdoor dinners are in place for most of Boston.
Gov. Charlie Baker moved to Phase 4, Phase 1 of Massachusetts ’reopening plan last week, along with the decision to replace the state’s COVID-19 travel order with a travel advisor. The latest reopening rate allows major leisure and sports venues to reopen and increase collection rates.
State officials have cited improving public health measures, such as the number of COVID cases and hospitals, in their decision to release restrictions.
Meanwhile Monday, the Hynes Convention Center will officially open as the newest major vaccination site in the state as more people deserve it in Massachusetts.
Residents of at least 60 years of age and a new group of essential workers will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, including grocery store and restaurant staff. The next group of residents eligible for the vaccine includes those aged 55 and over or residents with one specific health condition, starting April 5th.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Entering Level 4
Starting Monday, sports fields will be allowed to open at 12% capacity. Also on Mondays, there will be a wedding floor dance floor.
Major leisure and sports venues such as TD Garden and Fenway Park will be able to reopen to fans, although they have a 12% capacity limit.
In addition, gathering rates at event venues and public venues will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 outsiders. Private indoor boundaries still have 10 indoor and 25 outdoor collection boundaries.
For the Garden, this equates to around 2,350 fans and just over 4,500 Fenway fans. It’s unclear how Bruins ’recent stoppage of COVID-19, which postponed the first game due to fans back on Tuesday, will affect their next scheduled home game, Thursday vs. Islanders at 7pm in Boston.
The Red Sox’s first home game of the season opener is scheduled for Thursday, April 1. Businesses around Fenway Park are waiting for the arrival of the local nine.
Summer camps, exhibitions and conference halls will be allowed to operate under Level 4, and weddings and other events may include a dance floor.
Boston restaurants resume outdoor dining
Starting Monday, you can eat out again in Boston – except the North.
Boston’s outdoor dinner program begins Monday – 10 days earlier than originally expected due to the weather, Mayor Marty Walsh announced earlier this month.
But the city’s North has to wait until April 1, according to the Boston Licensing Board, to call it “high density” for the delay.
An out-of-town dinner campaign began last year to help restaurants survive a coronavirus pandemic.
Travel Order Changes
Download our mobile app for iOS no Android to receive alerts for local news and weather.
Changes to Massachusetts travel barriers have been announced.
Under the new travel advice, anyone coming to the state after being elsewhere for more than 24 hours will be advised to quarantine for 10 days upon arrival.
Previously, people coming from non-exempt states were required to complete the form and quarantine for 10 days or provide a negative COVID-19 test result that was administered up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
The consultation does not apply to anyone in the following categories, according to the administration:
- Anyone returning to Massachusetts after less than 24 hours.
- Passengers with a negative COVID-19 test result delivered up to 72 hours prior to arrival in Massachusetts.
- Employees who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure tasks (as assigned by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) while traveling to or from or while in which they work.
- Travelers who are fully vaccinated (ie who have received two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 NO vaccines or have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago and have no symptoms).
Under the outbound travel order, people can travel to Massachusetts from just four states and one U.S. area: Oregon, Washington, Missouri, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.