In an effort to prevent the shutdown of the Massachusetts economy and schools in the face of rising coronavirus case numbers, Gov. Charlie Baker announced a series of new COVID-19 regulations for Massachusetts during a Monday press conference, including forcing a number of businesses to close at 9:30 p.m. each day.
Starting on Friday, the following businesses will not be allowed to operate between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- Restaurants — in-person dining must cease at 9:30 p.m., although takeout and delivery may continue for food and non-alcoholic beverages)
- Liquor stores and other retail establishments must stop selling alcohol at 9:30 p.m. (but may continue to sell other products)
- Adult-use marijuana sales (not including medical marijuana)
- Indoor & outdoor events
- Theaters/movie theaters and performance venues
- Youth and adult amateur sports activities
- Golf facilities
- Recreational boating and boating businesses
- Outdoor recreational experiences
- Casinos and horse tracks/simulcast facilities
- Driving and flight schools
- Zoos, botanical gardens, wildlife reserves, nature centers
- Close contact personal services (such as hair and nail salons)
- Gyms, fitness centers and health clubs
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- Museums/cultural & historical facilities/guided tours
A new stay-at-home advisory will ask residents to stay in their homes between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., with the exception for necessary excursions like going to work or to the grocery store, Baker said. Masks will be required in public for all people above the age of 5, without exception for whether or not a person can social distance, under an updated advisory. Indoor gatherings will once again be limited to 10 people, and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 25 people. All gatherings will be required to end at 9:30 p.m.
Baker said it was important not to close down the economy again, or to close down schools.
“Schools are not spreaders,” Baker said.
Since Labor Day, daily coronavirus cases increased 300%, with hospitalizations up 145%, according to the governor.
“Both those trends are obviously heading in the wrong direction,” Baker said.
The governor said Massachusetts residents were being asked to “participate once again in the hard work to protect our Commonwealth,” citing concerns about demands and requirements placed on health care workers during a prolonged or increased case surge.
Penalties for gathering violations will all be civil, Baker said, and on local authorities to enforce.
