Massachusetts is moving forward in its reopening process! The state has now moved into its “new normal” phase of reopening, which is Phase 4. The first step in this phase has allowed a wide variety of businesses to reopen. In addition, this first step of the phase has allowed gathering limits at public events to be increased to 100 people inside and 150 people outside. However, home gatherings will remain at 10 people inside and 25 people outside for now.
Phase 4 step 1 of the state’s reopening plan also allows businesses that have not been open to the public for a long time to finally reopen at a reduced capacity. Stadiums, ballparks, and arenas have reopened at 12 percent capacity. This allows Fenway Park to host around 4,500 fans for Red Sox games at the beginning of the season, and with opening day being today against the Baltimore Orioles, fans are eager to get back in the stands at Fenway for the first time since 2019.
Performance venues can also reopen, as long as they follow the new guidelines and gathering limits at public events. The Baker Administration also announced that they will be allowing overnight summer camps to operate this summer and dance floors at weddings are now allowed. However, bars and night clubs in Massachusetts will remain closed for now. Other Phase 4 businesses that will have to remain closed until further notice include amusement parks, water parks, street festivals, parades, and agricultural festivals to name a few.
However, as a result of states reopening, we are beginning to see the curve go from trending down at a rapid pace to stalled. Because of this, the CDC is concerned because now the curve can go in either direction, resulting in either another surge in cases, or depending on if states can get more vaccines in people's arms, the line could start trending down again.
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