‘Light at the end of the tunnel’
Governor lays out path to full reopening
Massachusetts now has a clear path forward to a full reopening amid the coronavirus vaccine rollout after Gov. Charlie Baker announced a series of steps that leads to 100% capacity at all businesses and no gathering limits by August.
But Bay State retail and tourism leaders say the full reopening timeline of Aug. 1 is too slow and puts them at a major “disadvantage” to other New England states that are lifting all restrictions months earlier.
Baker, citing the drop in virus cases and hospitalizations along with being a “national leader” in getting shots in arms, on Tuesday laid out the state’s full reopening timeline. The outdoor mask mandate will also be relaxed on Friday.
“The light at the end of the tunnel — thanks to the hard work of so many — is getting closer,” the governor said during a Tuesday press conference at the State House. “And we can start to look ahead with real optimism for the path forward.”
Baker said all industry restrictions will be lifted by Aug. 1 and capacities will return to 100% at all businesses by that date. Gathering limits will be rescinded, he added.
“We hope that with more vaccines and a continued success at stopping COVID, we can take this step earlier, but it will depend on everyone continuing to get vaccinated and doing the right things,” Baker said.
As part of the reopening announcement, Baker said that bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries can open on May 29 under restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90-minute limit and no dance floors. Gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors that day.
On May 10, amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks can open at 50% capacity. Also, stadiums and ball
parks will be allowed to increase from 12% capacity to 25% capacity.
“As we look ahead to getting back to something like normal, we’ll continue to do everything that we can to continue to ramp up vaccinations, reopen the economy and most importantly, keep everybody in Massachusetts safe,” Baker said.
But retailers were hoping to see a quicker timeline to a full reopening, said Jon Hurst, president of Retailers Association of Massachusetts.
Many states are already back at 100%, he noted.
“It’s tough being at 50% until August. It’s a long wait,” Hurst said. “It’s going to hurt, particularly for smaller retail establishments in tourist areas this summer.”
Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, called the Aug. 1 timeline “disappointing for the entire hospitality and tourism industry.”
“The rest of New England has taken a more proactive approach to lifting all restrictions by July 4 at the latest, putting us at a distinct disadvantage,” Sheridan said in a statement.
“With one-third of the year already behind us, this narrows our region’s tourism window significantly,” Sheridan said.