200,000 preregister for vaccines

» About 200,000 Massachusetts residents preregistered for COVID-19 vaccine shots Friday morning after the state launched a new website with the hope of avoiding the confusion and virtual sparring that occurred under the previous system.

The number of residents who entered their information into the website reflects the ongoing demand for vaccinations. The system only applies to the state’s seven mass vaccination sites.

“We’re up to about 200,000 people preregistered at this point, which is great,” Gov. Charlie Baker said at a press conference Friday morning, following a tour of a school in Lynn.

Under the previous system, those trying to sign up often had to spend hours battling computer glitches.

Vaccine demand still outstrips supply, but under the new system, residents who fill out an online form will get a confirmation by phone, text or email and receive a weekly update about their status. Residents can opt out if they secure an appointment elsewhere. When an appointment becomes available, the individual will be notified and have 24 hours to accept. If an appointment is not accepted after 24 hours, the resident will have to get back in line to wait for another appointment.

This tool is available at https:// vaccinesignup.mass.gov/#/.

Meanwhile, Boston is bumping up the date that restaurants will again be allowed to offer outdoor dining on public sidewalks and streets.

Originally the city planned to kick off the popular program on April 1.

A milder forecast will allow the city to move that date up to March 22, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced Friday.

The 2021 outdoor dining program will continue many of the initiatives from last year’s program, such as streamlined permitting and outdoor patios on roadways that enable restaurants with narrow sidewalks to offer patio seating to patrons, Walsh said. The city initiated the program last year to let restaurants continue serving meals to customers while avoiding crowded indoor settings as the virus raged.