Baker to allow sports practices
Says even he’s sick of reruns
Sports can soon kick off again in Massachusetts.
After more than two months without play, Gov. Charlie Baker plans to sign an executive order on Monday that will allow professional sports teams in the state to resume practicing that day.
“I know we still aren’t to the point where we’ll have our pro sports teams back playing anything yet,” Baker said in a press conference Friday at the State House. “The leagues are obviously working hard to host games again. And I think we all hope that at some point, opening practice facilities will help make that happen a little sooner.”
The state’s professional teams will have to follow their respective leagues’ health and safety rules when players return to the court, field or ice, Baker said. And team facilities will remain closed to the public.
“There’s just so many times you can actually watch the Patriots beat the Falcons, or the Celtics beat the Lakers, or the Bruins beat the Canucks, or the Red Sox beat the Yankees or the Cardinals or the Angels. At some point it’s got to be live,” Baker quipped of the replays that have dominated the sports airwaves. “I think for all of us live sports, and especially pro sports, would be a great thing to see again because not only will it be a significant milestone for those of us who are fans but it will also send a big signal that we’ve continued to do all the things that we need to do to contain and control the virus.”
Baker on Friday also issued a series of new regulations for restaurants, hotels and other types of lodging as they prepare to open in the next part of the state’s four-phased reopening plan. The governor’s executive order Monday will include a more detailed list of the industries included in each phase, and will allow businesses in Phase 2 to start bringing back some employees next week to help kick operations back into gear.
“We urge employers only to bring back those employees that they need to prepare to reopen,” Baker said.
Restaurants will be able to resume outdoor dining at the start of Phase 2 — which Baker will announce a start date for on June 6 after keeping an eye on public health data, but that won’t fall before June 8.
Hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts and shortterm rentals including Airbnb can also expand operations. In them, on-site restaurants, pools, gyms, spas and golf courses can operate as allowed under the state phases, but ballrooms and meeting rooms must remain closed. Operators must inform out-ofstate visitors about the 14day self-quarantine policy. Face coverings are required for all workers and guests.
“This reopening of course will also be gradual and requires a lot of patience for everyone,” Baker said. “This virus answers to no one and isn’t playing by any set of rules.”