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The Road Ahead

MASSACHUSETTS’ FOUR PHASES FOR REOPENING:

Phase 1

'Start'
May 18: Essential businesses, manufacturing, construction. May 25: Hair, pet grooming, car washes, beaches, parks, limited personnel in offices outside Boston. June 1: Limited personnel in Boston offices.

Phase 2

'Cautious'
With restrictions and limitations: Retail, restaurants, lodging, nail salons, day spas, campgrounds, playgrounds.

Phase 3

'Vigilant'
With restrictions and limitations: Bars, casinos, fitness, and gyms, museums, youth sports.

Phase 4

'New Normal'
Full resumption of activity, including nightclubs and large venues.

Explore more maps tracking the coronavirus here and around the world
DOCUMENT

Read the full details of Governor Baker's reopening plan for Mass.

Graphics

These are the metrics that determine how fast the state can reopen

Phase-by-Phase Breakdown

Here’s what can reopen in each phase of Massachusetts’ opening plan

On May 18, Governor Charlie Baker released more specific details of his four-phase reopening plan for the state. Here’s a look at what can open under each phase of the plan.
Will we ever meet again?

'With coronavirus restrictions easing, when can I…'

Eat at a restaurant in Massachusetts? Take the kids to the playground? Meet up with friends at a bar? Here’s a look at some common questions and what new state guidance says.

Specifically, here's what to know about the return of…

Group gatheringsDaycare, K-12, and collegeDental officesMBTA servicePot shops

Guides & resources for staying safe

How to stay safe from coronavirus as you venture out during Mass. reopening
Do you still own clothes that aren’t sweat pants? Dust them off, because you can now leave home and go somewhere besides the grocery store for the first time in two months.

How to make your own mask (with or without sewing)

How to clean and disinfect your phone

How to wash your hands — don't forget to moisturize!

The latest COVID-19 numbers from Massachusetts

Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts

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Read COVID-19 coverage from STAT News

Tell us what you want to know about coronavirus

About This Page

The Boston Globe is providing coverage of the coronavirus outbreak to keep you informed on COVID-19, track the latest developments on its spread, and educate you on how you can remain safe during this period and throughout reopening phases.

Visualizing the pandemic

Key metrics the state is looking at for the reopening

The latest COVID-19 numbers from Massachusetts

Town-by-town COVID-19 data in Massachusetts

A list of layoffs and furloughs in Massachusetts (so far) due to coronavirus

Video

Baker details plan to reopen Massachusetts
The highly anticipated road map, which Baker laid out Monday, outlines four phases of re-opening, each lasting for at least three weeks. (Photo: Nicolaus Czarnecki/Pool, Video: Handout)
This is what it’s like to get tested for COVID-19
Somerville offered all residents free testing, regardless of whether they’re showing symptoms of COVID-19. So I took them up on the offer. (Video by Steve Annear and Shelby Lum|Globe Staff)
An hour on the COVID ICU overnight shift
Bianca Dintino's overnight shift as the COVID ICU charge nurse is a steady stream of patient alarms and PPE quick changes at Tufts Medical Center May 4. (Video by Caitlin Healy/Globe Staff, Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)

In-depth stories & special projects

Hospital journals

The race to save lives

The Globe has enlisted three medical workers on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus to tell their stories in their own words.

Op-Ed | Aaron Thomas
Why I don’t feel safe wearing a face mask
As a Black man, I cannot walk into a store with a bandana covering the greater part of my face if I also expect to walk out that store.

Watch the Op Talk: Thomas and Globe columnist Renee Graham discuss staying safe while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic

Special Project
Elegies for those lost to coronavirus
Coronavirus has brought sorrow to every corner of the state, while cruelly preventing the bereaved from mourning together. Here, we remember the victims of the coronavirus as unique individuals, to remember them more for how they lived than how they died.

An infamous epicenter
How the Biogen leadership conference in Boston spread the coronavirus
Amid ominous signs after a routine conference, a frightening realization slowly dawned: The virus was on the loose.

More coronavirus news

‘A balancing act’: As marches continue, spread of virus remains a concern

Many epidemiologists see the need for the protests, saying racism is a huge public health issue. But they worry about too many people gathering in close quarters. an hour ago

Mass. reports 471 new coronavirus cases, 50 new deaths

Meanwhile, four key metrics that the state is monitoring to determine the pace of its four-phase reopening plan saw a decrease in Thursday’s report. 2 hours ago

Key metrics the state is looking at for the reopening

These charts show trends that Massachusetts officials say are key to moving the state through a multi-phase reopening plan.

The latest COVID-19 numbers from Massachusetts

Here's a look at the latest coronavirus numbers in Massachusetts, including case numbers, deaths, demographics, and more.

Here’s what can reopen in Mass. during Phases 2, 3, and 4

Since the first reopening plan was released in mid-May, officials have clarified this week what exactly can reopen come Phase 2. Here’s a look at what businesses and sectors fall into that phase.

Mount Auburn Hospital study suggests warmer weather could cause ‘modest’ decline in coronavirus

A new study led by researchers at Mount Auburn Hospital suggests warmer temperatures may decrease the spread of the coronavirus, but it warns that the effect is modest and appears to wane after the temperature rises above 52 degrees. It also cautions that society shouldn’t let its guard down.

With no official guidance, houses of worship hit a cautious note on singing

Government is mum on the dangers of singing during the coronavirus crisis, leaving faith leaders to find their own way.

Members of the Boston City Council

Boston needs to adopt a planning equity standard

The city needs to set a standard that makes clear to developers that their bottom line is not more important than building a stronger and more equitable Boston.