Baker, other governors to talk vaccine efforts with White House

BOSTON AP — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is planning to join a group of governors to meet with President Joe Biden on Tuesday to discuss ongoing efforts to vaccinate as many people as possible to continue the fight against COVID-19.

“It’s basically to talk about how to reach and deliver vaccines to either folks that are part of what we would call the hesitant community or folks who are part of communities that are just hard to reach and need more help to get vaccinated,” the Republican told reporters during a stop Monday at a community health center vaccination clinic in Quincy.

Baker said the state continues to make progress and by the end of the week more than 3 million people in Massachusetts will be fully vaccinate.

He said the goal continues to be to have more than 4 million adults in the state fully vaccinated by the beginning of June. The state has a population of about 7 million.

Persuading stragglers could be the toughest job now that the first crush of those eager to get the vaccine is winding down.

To help encourage those

still on the fence, all of the state’s mass vaccinations and most pharmacies are now offering vaccines to those who walk in, whether or not they have an appointment.

MORE RESTRICTIONS EASED

The Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins can welcome more fans starting Monday as Massachusetts continues to ease restrictions aimed at thwarting the spread of the coronavirus.

Indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks, which had been limited to 12% capacity, are now allowed to increase capacity to 25%.

Amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks are also allowed to welcome more visitors, up to 50% capacity, as long as they have a safety plan approved by the state Department of Public Health.

Road races and other outdoor organized amateur or professional sporting events can also resume.

Supermarkets and other retailers are now no long required to maintain special hours for seniors and singing is now allowed indoors with strict distancing requirements in place.

Restrictions are being relaxed as more people get vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Sunday, more than 2.9 million people in Massachusetts has been fully vaccinated, according to the health department.

To make getting a shot easier, the state will allow walkup vaccinations at six mass vaccination sites.