Springing ahead
State easing restrictions Monday; stadiums to partially reopen
Massachusetts on Monday will rescind a travel order requiring visitors from states at high risk for coronavirus to quarantine for 10 days — the same day it moves into the final phase of reopening the economy, Gov. Charlie Baker announced.
The new travel advisory will “urge,” not require, anyone traveling into Massachusetts — including returning residents — to quarantine for 10 days if they have been out of the state for 24 hours or more.
The change comes as the state enters into Step 1 of Phase 4 of its reopening, allowing indoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks to reopen to fans — at an extremely limited capacity of 12% — for the first time in a year.
Limits on outdoor gathering sizes in public venues will increase from 100 to 150, according to the statement. At-home outdoor gatherings will remain limited to 25 people. Dance floors will be allowed at weddings and other events.
For anxious parents, overnight summer camps can operate this summer, too.
The relaxed restrictions around travel and capacity at certain businesses come as coronavirus hospitalizations and deaths continue to drop in Massachusetts.
“Thanks to continued reductions in #COVID19MA transmission + hospitalizations and vaccine progress, we can continue the safe and responsible reopening of our economy, effective Monday,” Baker tweeted following the announcement.
But Boston University infectious disease specialist Dr. Davidson Hamer cautioned “it’s still early” to relax travel restrictions and gathering limits with new cases still hovering in the 1,200 per day range.
“Yes, the numbers have gone down but not to very low levels,” Hamer said. “There’s evidence that there’s virus transmission going on. We need to remain cautious for another few months then we can think about letting up on some of these restrictions.”
Members of the business community “welcomed” the news after nearly one year of pandemic-era business shutdowns. “We are turning the calendars to spring, and hope is now the prevailing sentiment for small businesses as well as their customers,” Retailers Association of Massachusetts President Jon Hurst said.
Health metrics have continued to improve since March 1, when the Baker administration cut capacity limits in restaurants and allowed some high-contact businesses to re-open. Hospitalizations have fallen by 20% and deaths dropped by 24%, state health data show.
Baker issued an executive order shuttering all non-essential businesses on March 23, 2020, forcing many to close their doors the following day.
“Countless small businesses have weathered the storm,” Hurst said, adding the spring is welcome this year.