Massachusetts moved forward in its reopening plan on Monday, following plans to do so that Governor Charlie Baker announced last month.
Along with Massachusetts moving to Phase 4, Step 1, the state’s travel order has also been downgraded to an advisory.
Here’s what has changed:
- Indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas, and ballparks are allowed to open at 12 percent capacity after submitting a plan to the Department of Public Health
- Gathering limits for event venues and in public settings have increased to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a cap of 25 people and indoor house gatherings will remain capped at 10 people
- Dance floors are permitted at weddings and other events
- Exhibition and convention halls can operate following gathering limits and protocols
Additionally, overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this summer.
City officials in Boston are approaching the reopening with more caution. Although Boston has also moved to Phase 4, Step 1, the city’s public gathering limits are lower than state limits. Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the decision last week.
Public gatherings in the city can increase to 60 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, according to a statement on the Boston Public Health Commission website.
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In addition to the state moving forward with its economic reopening plan, the state’s travel order has also been downgraded to an advisory. The new measure urges people arriving in Massachusetts, including returning residents, to quarantine for 10 days if they have been out of the state for 24 hours or more.
The advisory does not apply to people if:
- They are returning to Massachusetts after an absence of less than 24 hours
- They are traveling to Massachusetts with a negative COVID test administered in the prior 72 hours
- They are workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions
- They are fully vaccinated against COVID-19
Baker had said last month Massachusetts would reopen March 22 “as long as the public health data continues to get better.” In a statement last week, he cited improving public health metrics, like declining COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, in his decision to move the state to Phase 4.
Amanda Kaufman can be reached at amanda.kaufman@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @amandakauf1.