Baker's Coronavirus Rollback Already In Effect In Worcester

Worcester MA

08 December, 2020

1:39 PM

Description

WORCESTER, MA — Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday that Massachusetts would take a step back in the statewide reopening plan, but that may not mean much for Worcester residents. Starting Sunday, the state will move back to step one of phase three of the state's reopening plan. But on Nov. 25, citing an alarming rise in cases, Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. said he could not "in good conscience" move the city forward to step two of phase three. At the time, Worcester was averaging 500 cases per week. But cases have only continued to increase in the city and across the region. READ: MA Rolls Back Reopening As COVID-19 Threatens Hospital Capacity In step one of phase three, restaurants can only seat tables with a maximum of six people. There's also no indoor music allowed. Other local communities have resisted the reopening plan. Framingham in late September declined to expand restaurant seating as cases were on the rise. Milford voluntarily moved back to step one of phase three in October. On top of the rollback, the state is also boosting rules around wearing masks. All office workers must wear masks, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said, and diners and waiters must wear masks at all times, except when food or drinks are being consumed. Here's what's open and closed in step one of phase three: Step 1, Phase 3Step 2, Phase 3Indoors theaters, performance venuesClosedOpen at 50% capacity/250 peopleOutdoor gatherings at event venues50-person limit100-person limitOutdoor theater, performance spaces25% capacity, 50 people max50% capacity, 250 people maxRoller rinks, laser tag, escape rooms, trampoline parksClosed50% capacityArcades, indoor/outdoor recreation businesses40% capacity50% capacityDriving/flight schools40% capacity50% capacityGyms40% capacity50% capacityLibraries40% capacity50% capacityMuseums40% capacity50% capacityRestaurantsIndoor music OK, but no wind/brass instruments, no singingIndoor music OK, but no singingFitting roomsOpen where necessaryOpen everywhere