COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for MALSCE Members

The COVID-19 state of emergency lifted on June 16 ending most of the executive orders Gov. Charlie Baker put in place to force restrictions and special allowances during the 15-month-long crisis

S 2475, https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2475

Late on the night of June 15, the legislature passed a bill (S 2475) would allow remote meetings of public bodies until April 20, 2022, and it includes language that says if the law does not take effect until after the emergency's end, "a public body may provide for remote meetings as specified in this section and any action taken thereof shall be ratified, validated and confirmed as if this section had been in place."

The bill also:

• Temporarily reinstates remote permissions for representative town meetings, nonprofit member meetings, notary services and reverse-mortgage loan counseling, along with eviction protections, flexibilities for assisted living residences, and the ability for medical assistants, podiatrists, phlebotomists, and certain military personnel to administer COVID-19 vaccines.
• Permits to-go beer, wine, and cocktail sales by restaurants through May 1, 2022, along with language requiring that takeout and delivery drinks be sold at the same prices as those consumed on-site.
• Special permits for expanded outdoor dining would be valid until April 21, 2022
• Other matters, including Senate-backed billing protections for COVID-19 care and a House-approved cap on fees that delivery apps charge restaurants, remain before the conference committee.

Boston’s Acting Mayor Kim Janey, joined by Chief of Health and Human Services Marty Martinez, held d a press conference at City Hall where she provided further updates on the city’s reopening plan.

Acting Mayor Janey announced that Boston will align with the state’s newly released guidance and lift all COVID-19 restrictions on May 29, including the face covering requirements. As Governor Baker said earlier today, face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings.

Janey told reporters that “our battle against COVID is not over. Reopening our city will only work if we all continue to do our part to fight the pandemic.”

Governor Baker's 5/17/21 Update 

Governor Baker gave an update on COVID-19 and vaccines at the State House. The Governor announced that the Commonwealth is on track to meet the goal of vaccinating 4.1 million residents by the first week of June and all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29, 2021.

Baker said the Commonwealth’s face covering order will also be rescinded on May 29. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will issue a new face covering advisory that is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance. Baker noted that face coverings will still be mandatory for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such nursing homes. Effective tomorrow, face covering requirements for youth and amateur sports will be lifted and the administration will soon release updated guidance for summer camps effective May 29.

Finally, Governor Baker announced that the end the State of Emergency in the Commonwealth will be effective on​ June 15. The Governor said that the administration will work with legislative and municipal partners during this period to manage an orderly transition from emergency measures adopted by executive order and special legislation during the period of the State of Emergency.

Governor Baker gave an update on COVID-19 at the State House, announcing that 3.9 million residents have been partially or fully vaccinated in Massachusetts. Baker reminded the public that there are available vaccine appointments in every part of the state, from regional collaboratives to mass vaccination sites and pharmacies.

Governor Baker said that the state will gradually close four of the seven mass vaccination sites by the end of June while transitioning to smaller-scale and more local vaccine sites, including the state’s 22 regional collaboratives. The four sites winding down operations are: Gillette Stadium, the Doubletree in Danvers, the Natick Mall, and the Hynes Convention Center. Baker said that the mass vaccination sites have administered 1.2 million doses and fully vaccinated a half-million people in Massachusetts since they have opened.

Full Mask Order: https://www.mass.gov/doc/covid-19-order-67/download

Revised Mask Order in Effect Changes to the State mask/face covering order are effective today with some relaxed restrictions for certain outdoor activities. According to the order, masks or face coverings are not required when outdoors in public locations AS LONG AS you can maintain a safe distance (6 feet) from others not in your own family or group. Masks or face coverings are still required at all times when indoors in public locations. This includes in stores, businesses, restaurants, etc. For events and gatherings in public locations, masks are still required and are encouraged for events and gatherings in private locations.

New information will be announced as the State moves forward with reopening plans. Additional changes related to reopening specific sectors, increased capacity, and increased gatherings and more will be released in May.  Masks Still Required for Planes, Public Transportation The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will still require masks for travelers until at least September 13, 2021. TSA announced today that it will extend a federal mandate for masks in transportation settings, including in airports, on commercial airlines, and on commuter bus and rail systems.

India Travel Restrictions: In addition, on guidance from the CDC, the U.S. is restricting travel to India beginning on Tuesday, May 4 due to rising COVID-19 cases in that country. 

Governor Baker gave an update on the Commonwealth’s reopening this afternoon at the State House. He was joined by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy.

Governor Baker announced that Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries effective May 10 and put plans in place for further reopening on May 29^th and August 1^st, at which point all industry restrictions will be lifted. As part of this announcement, the following changes will become effective on Monday, May 10:

• Large venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open as part of Phase 4, Step 1 at 12% will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.
• The Commonwealth will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries including amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks that will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.
• Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be permitted to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH.
• Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports.
• Singing will also be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses.

The full announcement can be found here, which also includes additional industries that can reopen beginning both May 29 and August 1: https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-plans-for-continued-reopening.

Governor Baker also announced today that effective on April 30, the Face Coverings Order will be relaxed for some outdoor settings. Face coverings will only be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times required by sector-specific guidance. Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places. Face coverings will also continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when eating or drinking.

In addition to his announcements on the state’s reopening, Baker shared that all high schools students will be returning to in person learning on May 17.

Boston Mayor Kim Janey's 3/30/21 Update

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Governor Charlie Baker's 3/30/21 Update

3/30/31: This morning, Boston Mayor Kim Janey gave an update on COVID-19 and housing from Boston City Hall. Janey says the city's COVID-19 positivity rate is at 4.2 percent up from 3.7 percent.

The Mayor applauded the CDC for its extension of the national eviction moratorium and announced that she is allocating $50M into the city's rental relief fund. The funding will be available in up to $15k increments and can be used to pay utilities, including internet access. The rental relief fund can also be used for certain moving costs, as well as first and last month deposits. Janey reported that the fund has helped 1,900 Boston households so far over the last year.

3/30/31: Governor Baker held an afternoon press conference at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston. The Governor was joined by Lt. Governor Polito, Secretary Sudders, MEMA Director Phillips, Senator Markey, Congressman Lynch, CDC Director Walensky and FEMA Administrator Fenton.

The Governor reported that 1.3M people in Massachusetts are fully vaccinated. Massachusetts now has 200 vaccination sites. The mass vaccination site at the Hynes Convention Center will receive a total of 42,000 doses directly from the federal government under the partnership with FEMA.

Baker reminded the public that COVID is far from over, he said that the mask mandate remains in place and that while businesses are open, there is sector-specific guidance in place. Private gatherings are still limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

Senator Ed Markey and Congressman Stephan Lynch both gave remarks. Markey said that the mass vaccination center at the Hynes Convention Center is a ‘life raft’ for Boston, saying that they are giving citizens more than just a shot in the arm, but more hope for the future. Lynch thanked all members of the delegation for working on the American Rescue Plan and urged groups receiving money from the federal government to buy PPE from US companies.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said “We have so much reason for hope. We have 95 million Americans vaccinated with one dose of vaccine and 53 million Americans that are fully vaccinated -- 15%." Walensky said that at the same time the US has 61,000 new infections a day, so she asked residents to just hang on and stay safe a little bit longer.

Governor Charlie Baker gave an update on COVID-19 and was joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. The Governor gave updates on the state’s plans to vaccinate individuals that are homebound and distribute recently passed federal funding.

The Governor announced that his administration will be working with local boards of health and the Commonwealth Care Alliance to launch a statewide program to vaccinate homebound individuals. Local boards of health will be able to choose whether to launch their own vaccination efforts, with support from the state’s program, or enroll fully in the state’s program. Secretary Sudders shared that as part of the effort, the state will be launching an ad campaign aimed at educating homebound individuals in the ways that they can receive a vaccine, which will also include sending care givers door-to-door to meet with individuals.

Baker also announced that the Commonwealth is allocating more funding to four communities that were left out of the American Rescue Plan Act, which include Chelsea, Everett, Methuen, and Randolph. Based on preliminary data, the Governor is anticipating that the Commonwealth will be receiving a total of about $7.9B in direct aid, $3.4B of which will go to counties, cities, and towns. As a result of the way that the bill was designed, these four communities are due to receive significantly smaller amounts of aid than other similarly and hard hit communities. In coordination with the legislature and the local leaders, the state will be directing an additional $100M in additional aid to these four communities. The Commonwealth is expecting to receive additional details from the US Treasury in the coming weeks with final payment figures and guidance on the use of these funds. Baker expects that it will be several weeks before any states are actually able to access any of these funds.

Governor Baker announced this morning that all Massachusetts residents ages 16 or older will become eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by April 19.

Residents 60 or older and certain workers become eligible March 22. Residents 55 or older and those with one qualifying health condition will become eligible April 5 and the general public will become eligible April 19.

"The Administration has received assurances from the federal government that an increased vaccine supply will be available to states soon," Baker's office wrote in a press release. "Depending on supply, it could take weeks for people to be notified that an appointment is available at a mass vaccination site."

Baker toured a vaccination site at The Shaw's Center in Brockton at 10:30 a.m. and d to discussed the timeline for getting the remaining adult population of Massachusetts vaccinated during a press conference to follow the tour.

President Joe Biden said last week that he was directing all states to make all adults eligible to be vaccinated no later than May 1. Baker's administration had planned to make the general public eligible for vaccine doses sometime in its final rollout phase, which has long been scheduled to begin in April.

3/10/21: New Vaccine Pre-Registration System To Go Live Friday; 
CDC Tells State Vaccine Supply Won't Grow in March

The new pre-registration tool will be available here 

Excerpts From State House News Service: Chris Lisinski, 3/10/21 11:02 AMMassachusetts will launch a new vaccine pre-registration system on 3/12/21 for its mass vaccination sites, transitioning away from the single-day bulk appointment drop that for weeks has left residents racing to secure slots.

MA Residents will be able to fill out an online form with their personal details, contact information and eligibility criteria, then get a notification from the state when they can book an appointment at the mass vaccination site closest to them.

While unveiling the new system, Baker administration officials also announced four dates when mass vaccination sites will administer first doses exclusively to educators and school staff: Saturday, March 27; Saturday, April 3, Saturday, April 10; and Sunday, April 11. Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said during a Wednesday morning briefing that the state should be able to administer 20,000 to 25,000 doses to educators and support staff across those four days, depending on federal supply.

All slots at mass vaccination sites will start flowing through the pre-registration system on Friday, though eligible residents will still be able to hunt for appointments at local pharmacies, regional sites and through their health care providers.

"Google Services is working with us to deploy this new pre-registration website that will eliminate the need for people to compete to find appointments throughout the state at the mass vax sites, allow us to pre-register people, and build out a waiting list that will allow us to proactively notify people through text, email or phone," said Secretary of Technology and Security Services Curt Wood.

Only appointments at the seven mass vaccination sites will be included at first, though the administration said it will work to fold other providers into the pre-registration system starting in April.

Registered participants will receive a confirmation notice and a weekly status update indicating they continue to be pre-registered. At launch, residents will not be able to select preferences for mass vaccination sites and the system will only notify them about appointments at whichever of those sites is geographically closest.

Once slots become available, the state will send a link to book an appointment for the following week. Recipients will have 24 hours to click through and pick their time, and if they do not, they will be placed back in the queue.

Older residents or those who cannot sign up online can call 211 to pre-register and receive notifications by phone.

All residents will be able to pre-register starting some time Friday morning, Wood said, but the administration is encouraging only those who are currently eligible to sign up. The new pre-registration tool will be available at https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine

The system will allow for pre-registration for all. It's only for people who are eligible to receive the vaccine, so when the appointment notices go out, they will only go out to the people who are eligible. 

Officials said eligible pre-registered recipients may need to wait "several weeks" to get notification of open appointment slots given ongoing supply constraints.

Sudders told reporters at Wednesday's briefing that the federal government informed Massachusetts one day earlier that its weekly allocation of about 150,000 first doses will not increase until April.

More than 40,000 new first dose appointments at mass vaccination sites will go live on 3/11/21 in the final round of the existing booking system, she said, and another 40,000-plus second dose appointments have already been scheduled for next week at mass vaccination sites.

This week, the state will send 83,000 doses to mass vaccination sites, 79,000 doses to hospital providers, 38,000 doses to 12 regional collaboratives, 25,000 doses to community health centers, and 25,000 doses to local boards of health in the 20 most impacted communities or in areas where boards need to finish administering second doses.

Another 95,000 first and second doses are being delivered directly to CVS Health sites through the federal pharmacy vaccination program, and 19,000 doses will be delivered by the federal government directly to 15 qualified community health centers.

The state's roughly 400,000 school staff will gain eligibility to book mass vaccination site appointments on Thursday, and any who are unsuccessful can then turn their attention toward pre-registration a day later. Some have already secured slots at pharmacies through a federal program.

Governor Baker gave an update on COVID-19 in Salem. Governor Baker announced that the Commonwealth would advance to Step 2 of Phase III of the state’s reopening plan on Monday, March 1, and announced its plan to transition to Step 1 of Phase IV on Monday, March 22.

Step 2 of Phase III changes include:

• Indoor performance venues such as concert halls, theaters, and other indoor performance spaces will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity with no more than 500 persons.

• Indoor recreational activities with greater potential for contact (laser tag, roller skating, trampolines, obstacle courses) will be allowed to reopen at 50% capacity.

• Capacity limits across all sectors with capacity limits will be raised to 50% and exclude employees.

• Restaurants will no longer have a percent capacity limit and will be permitted to host musical performances; six-foot social distancing, limits of six people per table and 90-minute limits remain in place.

Indoor and outdoor stadiums and arenas will be permitted to operate at a 12% capacity limit after submitting a plan to the Department of Public Health (DPH) during Step 1 of Phase IV beginning on March 22^nd.

Also effective on March 22, gathering limits for event venues and in public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 25 people, with indoor house gatherings remaining at 10 people.

The administration also announced more than $49 million in awards to 1,108 additional small businesses in the eighth round of COVID-19 relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC).

Governor Baker was joined by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. Governor Baker shared that the state has seen significant progress over the past two weeks in vaccinating its residents. Due to this progress, effective Thursday, February 17^th, those at least 65 years or have 2 or more comorbidities will be able to sign up for a vaccination appointment. The population that will not be able to receive the vaccine is more than 1 million people. Baker did note that demand for the vaccine still far out ways the supply being sent to Massachusetts.

Lt. Governor Polito and Secretary Sudders echoed the Governor’s commitment to building out the state’s vaccination capacity, but also urged residents to be patient as the state waits for more vaccinations to be delivered by the federal government. Sudders did note that the state will be seeing a small increase next week by 29,000 doses, which is the first increase in weeks.

Governor Baker was joined by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito and Congressman Richard Neal, who Baker repeatedly thanked for all he has done for the Commonwealth as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee. The trio came together today to call on the federal government to continue to support states as they all work to recover from the pandemic.

Baker noted that COVID-19 has created substantial obstacles for the state to address and that there continues to be substantial financial challenges for Massachusetts to overcome. The Governor and Lt. Governor are calling on Congress to pass a significant relief package immediately that would direct stimulus money directly to states. Baker and Polito believe that this funding is critical for the state to recover as quickly as possible and that it would provide states with a clear and predictable path forward.

Congressman Neal thanked the Governor for providing him with a forum to address the package moving through Congress. Neal is almost certain that it will pass and that Speaker Pelosi plans for it to come for a vote in March. Further, he shared that beginning on Wednesday, President Biden‘s proposal will be reviewed by the House Ways and Means Committee. Neal noted that increased unemployment insurance will certainly be included in the final package, as well as many policy adjustments that will reduce the financial burden on those who are unemployed. Neal closed by thanking Governor Baker again for the leadership he has provided to Massachusetts throughout the pandemic.

Governor Baker announced that since the administration has seen continued improvements in COVID-19 cases, he is announcing that the state is lifting the capacity limits from 25% to 40% for businesses, including stores, restaurants, museums and gyms, effective Monday, February 8, 2021. Baker says the gathering limits that were tightened to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors will remain in place, while indoor recreational businesses and indoor performance venues remain closed.

Additionally, the Governor announced $173M  in new state small business grants to help restaurants, retailers, and indoor recreational venues. Baker said this program is the largest of its kind in the US.

Governor Baker gave an update at Fenway Park, which is serving as a mass vaccination site. The Governor said as of Monday night, 654,104 vaccine doses have been administered statewide. More than 1 million doses have been shipped across the Commonwealth.

The Governor reported that so far, 1,200 does of the vaccine have been administered at Fenway Park. The site expects to ramp up for 1,000+ doses a day as early as next week and is scheduled to increase to 1,250+ doses a day after that.

Governor Baker said to expect 55,000 new appointments for vaccinations across the state to become available for next week. Pharmacies and other sites will have appointments available. The Governor reported that a new Danvers site expected to start administering around 500 doses a day. Additionally, new sites are coming onboard in the Roxbury and Dorchester neighborhoods of Boston, as well as Chelsea, Revere and Everett. A community vaccination site also opened in Brockton, run by the local board of health.

The Governor ended by saying, "everybody should understand that it may take several weeks in some cases to schedule an appointment. Please be patient and recognize and understand that everybody who's eligible ... will get an appointment.”

During Mayor Walsh's press conference on COVID-19 within the City of Boston, he was joined by Health and Human Services Chief Marty Martinez. The Mayor reported that Boston’s COVID-19 test positivity rate is now 7.2%, which is slightly down from last week. Walsh said that the numbers are still too high, but he is encouraged by the continued decreases in cases. Walsh encouraged residents to get tested at one of the City’s many sites.

Mayor Walsh announced that the City of Boston is going to be moving forward into Phase III Step 1 of its reopening plan on February 1, 2021.  All of the businesses and organizations that fall within this phase, including museums, gyms and movie theaters, will be allowed to reopen at the set capacity limits. Boston’s updated reopening guidance is here.

Mayor Walsh and Chief Martinez also discussed the City’s coordination with the Governor’s administration to ensure an efficient and equitable distribution of the vaccine. The plans include setting up mass vaccination sites at Fenway Park and the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury, as well as at hospitals, health centers and pharmacies.

Governor Baker: As of Saturday, 448,892 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including first and second doses. The Governor said that the state will have capacity to administer 305,000 vaccinations a week by mid-February. He warned that this largely depends on supply, adding that "we may end up with some empty sites and empty seats, we can only move as fast as the federal government ships vaccines."

At the end of this week there will be 103 publicly-available vaccine sites across the state. In addition to Gillette and Fenway, the state is setting up five other mass vaccination sites. First three will be in Springfield, Danvers, and Roxbury. The Roxbury site will launch at the Reggie Lewis Center the first week of February. By Feb. 15, Baker says he expects to have 71 retail pharmacy vaccination sites open, created to establish more availability for people in underserved communities.

The Governor announced that Phase 2 of the administration’s vaccine plan will begin in February 1st. At the time, residents over the age of 75 will be eligible, residents 65 years and older will get vaccinated after that, although there is not a specific date. 

The state’s website will tell you where you are in the line and has a map for booking an appointment.

Governor Baker: Massachusetts public health data is trending in a better direction in some categories, like hospitalizations and the percent of positive COVID cases, for the first time in a long time. Baker reported that the Commonwealth is not out of the woods yet, but things appear to be getting a bit better.

With vaccinations underway and hospitalizations stabilizing, the administration announced that starting Monday, January 15 at 5am, the 9:30pm early closure and stay at home order will be lifted. The capacity limit of 25% will stay in place for another 2 weeks.

Additionally, Baker announced that 638 new grants are being awarded to businesses, totaling $37.5 million. The goal is to help small businesses cover operating expenses and help them make it through the second surge. The Governor ended by reminding the public to keep wearing masks and continue to practice social distancing.

Governor Baker held this press conference at Ristorante Saraceno, an Italian restaurant in Boston’s North End neighborhood. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy and Mass Growth Capital Corporation President and CEO Larry Andrews to discuss the latest round of small business grants that went out this week.

The Governor restated that restaurants and other small businesses have been hit very hard during the pandemic. Thousands of small businesses have already taken advantage of the Massachusetts small business grants, nearly $200M have been released to about 4100 businesses so far. The new announcement is part of a larger $774M economic development package.

Small business owners can still apply for grants up to $75k. The deadline is tomorrow. Mass Growth Capital Corporation President and CEO Larry Andrews spoke to small business owners by saying, "you are not alone. Your resiliency and tenacity to get to the other side is the reason why Mass Growth Capitol small business relief grants exist. Because you need to get to the other side."

Governor Baker gave this update on COVID-19 from a first responder vaccination site in Worcester and was joined by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. Yesterday the Department of Public Health reported that there were 4,239 new cases in Commonwealth. DPH also shared that over 400,000 vaccines have been administered in the state, though the Governor expects the exact numbers to be higher due to data input delays.

Governor Baker announced plans for the state’s first mass vaccination site at Gillette stadium. First doses will be available to first responders starting tomorrow, with a goal of vaccinating 300 per day. The Governor said that they plan have this site increase to be vaccinating upwards of 5,000 people per day and likely even more one day soon. CIC Health will operate the site with the help of Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

Lt. Governor Polito shared her gratitude for all of the people involved in setting up and working the vaccination site in Worcester, as well as all of the first responders who have been vaccinated so far.

Governor Baker was joined with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, Education Secretary James Peyser, and Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeff Riley. Governor Baker said that in an effort to get kids back into public classrooms, the administration is announcing a new initiative to provide universal, regular COVID-19 testing in schools across the state.

The Governor said that, "in-person learning is essential to the emotional and academic well-being of students”. Rapid-response testing has helped students get back to in-person learning and soon weekly virus testing is going to be available to schools.

Secretary of Education Jim Peyser explained the new program by saying that schools will start universal weekly school testing as soon as possible using the ‘pool testing’ method, which enables more results faster. Health and Human Services Secretary Sudders defined the term ‘pool testing’ as multiple testing swaps in a simple tube. She explained that the tubes will be sent to a lab and tested quickly. DESE will assume pool testing costs during the launch period (estimated $15M-$30M), after which schools will be able to buy through a state contract.

Before going into details on COVID-19, Governor Baker spent a few moments on the events in Washington yesterday, saying that “yesterday's riot was a dark moment for our country made even more depressing by the President's role leading up to it and his wholly inadequate response to the violence."

The Governor then switched to update the public on the COVID-19 numbers. There were 6419 new cases of virus reported in MA Wednesday. The 7-day avg of new cases is 8.25%. Over Thanksgiving, hospitals were about 65% occupied, today they're 84% occupied. The Governor said that ICU capacity was at 50% at Thanksgiving and it's now at 75%.

Baker announced that capacity limits that were in place through Jan. 10 will now remain in place until at least until January 24. This means a continued 25% cap for businesses and limits of 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors for gatherings/events still apply. Those restrictions do not apply to K-12 schools.

Governor Baker gave an update on COVID-19 this afternoon: statewide 2,291 patients are being treated for COVID-19, and 416 people are in the ICU. The Commonwealth’s second field hospital opened today in Lowell at the UMass Lowell Rec Center. The first one is at the DCU Center in Worcester.

Beginning January 11, first responders will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. There are about 45k first responders in Massachusetts, including police, fire and EMTs. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders laid out criteria for first responders to administer their own vaccines, which is an option available to the 200+ departments. The state will also stand up vaccination sites and work with doctors and hospitals. More information on signing up for the first responder vaccination can be found here.

Governor Baker gave an update on COVID-19 this afternoon and on his administration's plan to provide stimulus funding for small businesses. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy.

Governor Baker announced that in addition to any funding that may be coming out of Congress, the state is planning to launch a $668M small business relief fund. The program relies in part on the Congressional bill awaiting approval by the President, as it would grant the state some fiscal flexibility, but regardless, Massachusetts will begin administering available funds to businesses as soon as next week. These grants, of up to $75,000, will help cover three months of a small businesses expenses. The program will be administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. Businesses who had previously applied for a small business grant, but were not selected, will be given priority. For anyone who has not already applied, the application can be found here starting on 12/28/20.

Lt. Gov. Polito and Secretary Kennealy echoed Baker’s commitment to support small businesses, particularly as the state battles a second surge by imposing additional restrictions on businesses.

Governor Baker gave an update on COVID-19 at the State House this afternoon where he announced new statewide restrictions that will be in place for at least 2 weeks, starting Saturday, December 26, 2020. The new restrictions include moving capacity levels down to 25% for many businesses and outdoor gatherings having a 25 person maximum capacity, with inside gatherings having a 10 person cap. The Governor said that these new restrictions do not affect K-12 education.

The Governor said that, "the main reason we picked the day after Christmas, instead of the day before Christmas, was that we know that many people, hopefully, will participate in a faith service of some kind safely on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. It's perfectly possible to do that safely."

Additionally, starting on December 26 all hospitals must postpone or cancel all non-essential elective procedures, unless it would negatively affect someone's health.

Lt. Governor Karyn Polito reported that the 25% capacity limit applies to restaurants, personal services, theaters, casinos, office spaces, places of worship, driving and flight schools, libraries, lodging, arcades, indoor recreation, fitness centers and health clubs.

A full list of the capacity and gathering limits can be found here

Governor Baker gave an update on COVID-19 this afternoon from the State House. He was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy.

Governor Baker stated that due to the large increase of cases following Thanksgiving, the Commonwealth’s health care system is under extreme stress. Baker said that if we see increase after Christmas that is similar to the one after Thanksgiving, the state will be in serious danger of overwhelming the health care system. He noted that as his administration monitors the data, every safety measure is on the table in order to minimize the impact of the virus.

The Governor then shared that the recipients of the administration’s $50.8M small business relief grant program, which was part of a $700M economic recovery program that was announced in October, have been selected and will be notified later today. 1,158 small business in Massachusetts will receive grants from the program, with 100% of the recipients being minority owned.

Lt. Gov. Polito and Secretary Kennealy reiterated that the Commonwealth remains committed to providing as much funding as possible to ensure that the state’s small businesses are able to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

In closing, Governor Baker again urged Massachusetts residents to safely celebrate Christmas and do as much as they can to avoid spreading the virus any further.

Governor Baker just wrapped up a press conference on COVID-19 at the State House. The Governor reported that nearly 60K Pfizer vaccine doses were distributed to hospitals in Massachusetts this week. Next week the Commonwealth is scheduled to receive nearly 43k vaccine doses. The Governor said that hospitals are reporting an "overwhelming acceptance" of the vaccine among eligible health care workers. Through a federal partnership, CVS and Walgreens are planning to start vaccinations at long-term care facilities around Dec. 28.

The administration learned yesterday that the Commonwealth will be receiving 145,000 doses of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine by the end of December, this is down from expected 180,000.The Governor said that he was ‘certainly frustrated’ that Massachusetts will be receiving less does and the change in delivery plans will likely cause a ‘slight’ delay. Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders announced that the state is expanding who is qualified to administer vaccines. Emergency medical technicians, emergency services personnel, nursing and medical students are now authorized to administer.

Additionally, Baker announced that he is filing a unemployment relief bill that would freeze the UI contribution rates for employers and enable the Commonwealth to issue special obligation funds to repay fed for UI funds that the state borrowed.

12/15/20: Governor Baker was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders at the State House.

Baker reported that COVID-19 numbers have ‘shot up’ since thanksgiving and deaths have increased by 84% since the holiday. The Governor said that after seeing the aftermath of Thanksgiving, which was just one day, he thinks we shouldn't kid ourselves about the holidays in December. He said that the safest way to celebrate this year is with those in our own households and to avoid traveling and mixing households. He reiterated that anything else beyond that has the potential to spread the virus. The Governor said if the hospitals can't keep up with the latest surge and any potential additional surge from the holidays, Massachusetts might have to face more restrictions.

The Governor ended his comments by reporting that the Commonwealth is still expecting to receive 300,000 doses of vaccine by the end of the year, pending the second vaccine maker getting federal approval. This includes 379 long-term care facilities that will get vaccine doses through a federal partnership with CVS and Walgreens. Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders explained that the Department of Public Health puts the order in for vaccines to the federal government on behalf of health care providers. The Secretary said that in the coming months, there will be enough vaccines to vaccinate all heath care workers.

12/14/20: Mayor Marty Walsh announced that the City of Boston will rollback to a modified Phase II based on the most recent public health metrics for a minimum of 3 weeks. In his announcement, Mayor Walsh also indicated that Lynn, Newton, Somerville, Brockton, Winthrop, and Arlington are moving forward with similar actions today. In the City of Boston, these actions go into effect on Wednesday, December 16. Changes in this update include but are not limited to:

Additionally, indoor dining at restaurants and bars may continue, with strict adherence to City Guidelines and State Sector Specific Protocols.

COVID-19 Guidance for Notification for Capital Programs Construction Projects

The MBTA's COVID 19 guideline and procedure updates are intended to
compliment those titled “COVID 19 Guidelines and Procedures for all Construction Sites
and Workers at All Public Work” issued by the Governor’s office on March 25 and amend “Covid-19 Guidelines/Procedure Updates” issued on May 4, 2020 
As of Thursday, November 19, all contractors and MBTA field staff shall follow the
following guideline and procedure updates:
• Face coverings that comply with the latest CDC guidelines shall be worn at all times
by all on-site contractor, sub-contractor, visitors, delivery persons and MBTA staff
in accordance MBTA COVID-19 Face Covering and Workplace Protocols Policy
(Policy/Procedure 2.3/version 3) issued on November 5.
• Contractors shall notify the MBTA Resident Engineer in writing within 1 hour of
learning of a positive or presumptive positive COVID case for an employee,
worker, or any other individual associated with the site. In addition, the Contractor
shall also file a MBTA Contractor Incident Report within 2 hours of a positive or
presumptive positive COVID case. The report form can be accessed and
submitted via the following Link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZS7bkwBWJ82MSJpU_HLEp6zaHHTNo6OwPLhS_qh1YyQ/viewfo
rm?ts=5e8df7c7&edit_requested=true

Governor Baker focused today on the state’s plan to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine. He announced that the first round of vaccinations will maximize life saving care for the state’s most vulnerable residents, including health care workers, frontline responders and those in COVID-19 facing positions. The federal government has accepted the state’s preliminary phased vaccination plan. Phase 1 vaccinations will be distributed to the state’s highest risk and highest need individuals, in this order of priority, as soon as next week:

1. clinical and non clinical health care workers doing direct and COVID facing care;
2. long-term homes, rest homes and assisted living facilities, including residents and staff;
3. police, fire and emergency medical services;
4. congregate care settings, including shelters and correctional facilities; and
5. home-based health care workers and health care workers doing non-COVID facing care.

The first 60,000 doses of the vaccine is expected to arrive in Massachusetts on December 15, 2020, with the state getting about 300,000 doses by January. At first, vaccines will be distributed to 32 hospitals throughout the state.

If Phase 1 goes according to plan, the state will begin Phase 2 in February. Phase 2 focuses on workers in critical industries and individuals with one or more comorbidities. It will then extend to a broader universe of individuals over the age of 65 who are at a higher risk. During Phase 2, distribution to Phase 1 individuals will continue. Additional shipments of the vaccine are expected throughout January, February and March. Phase 3 of the plan is expected to begin in April and will include a much larger universe of younger individuals. As the vaccine infrastructure ramps up, distribution of the vaccine will expand to more health care settings, including community health centers, doctor’s offices and pharmacies. The vaccine will provided free of charge to all individuals and insurance companies will not be able to charge any out-of-pocket costs or copayments.

Lieutenant Governor Kayrn Polito, Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, Dr. Paul Biddinger (Massachusetts General Hospital), and Reverend Liz Walker joined Governor Baker in urging residents to continue preventing the spread of the virus and spoke about the lengths the state has gone to ensure the efficiency and efficacy of the vaccination process.

More information on Massachusetts’ COVID-19 vaccination plan is Here

Updated guidance for 12/8/2020 is posted on the state’s reopening website.

Governor Baker announced today that just over one third of the state’s hospital system remains unused. Due to the sharp increase in COVID-19 related hospitalizations, Baker is again calling on Massachusetts residents to be diligent and actively work to stop the spread of the virus. The Governor is encouraged by the development in vaccines, but reminded residents that there is still a lot of work to do. To do this, effective this Sunday, all communities in Massachusetts will move back to Phase III Step 1. This will reduce indoor capacities for most sectors to 40% and tighten several other workplace restrictions. It will also require the closure of certain businesses, including indoor performance venues and high contact recreational businesses. The maximum outdoor gathering size will drop to 50 people statewide. At restaurants, table limits will drop to six people per party, with a maximum seating time for dining of 90 minutes per party.

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito then shared more details on the administration’s announcement, which she said is aimed at tightening up guidance in advance of the December holidays. This reopening rollback will apply uniformly to every municipality in the Commonwealth. One new measure requires any household planning to host more than 25 people outdoors to notify their local board of health beforehand. In office buildings, all office workers will be required to wear masks at all times unless they are alone in their own workspaces. Polito stressed that these rollbacks are temporary measures and that the administration will continue to review public health data so as to adjust these measures accordingly.

Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy thanked all of Massachusetts’ business for everything they have done to slow the spread of the virus. He urged Commonwealth residents to safely support their local businesses. Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders reminded everybody that as of Friday, that elective procedures, which can be safely postponed , will be curtailed to free up staffing and beds for COVID-19.

The Governor announced that effective Friday, December 11, 2020, hospitals in the Commonwealth will curtail elected procedures that can be safely postponed to free up staffing and beds for COVID-19. 

Baker also announced that the Commonwealth is expanding their free testing and relocating some testing locations. The Governor said that there will be testing availability in every county in the Commonwealth. Previously, Western MA sites were only in Hampden County. The Governor reported that the state will have the capacity to complete 110k tests a week. This is separate from 350 other testing sites statewide. The new testing sites will be in Framingham, New Bedford, and Lynn. 

Governor Baker reported that Massachusetts can expect 300,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of December. Front-line health workers will have the priority, followed by long-term care facilities. The Governor said he will have more to announce regarding a vaccine on Wednesday.  

Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders spoke after the Governor and said that the elective procedure curtailment is not a blanket curtailment. Procedures such as colonoscopies, mammograms, children pediatric checkups may still be available, and people should contact their providers for clarification. The Secretary reported that the quarantine period for those that have had a COVID-19 exposure has now been lowered from 14 day to 8 days, if the person exposed has no symptoms, and negative test on day 5 or after the exposure. 

11/2/2020: Governor Baker reported that new cases of COVID-19 have increased 300% since Labor Day and announced a new Stay at Home Advisory. The advisory includes a curfew that asks residents to stay home between 10 pm - 5 am except to work or grocery shop. Restaurants must stop table service after 9:30 pm, but can continue takeout services. All casinos, theaters and other indoor entertainment facilities will close at 9:30 pm.

Included in the order, Governor Baker ordered that everyone above age of five must wear a face covering. Also included is a new limit private indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25 people. These new restrictions go into effect Friday, November 6 at 12 am.

Starting November 6, new restrictions will be placed on businesses including restaurants, gyms, and liquor stores. Indoor and outdoor gathering restrictions will also be tightened. The Department of Public Health is also instituting a new stay-at-home advisory from 10 pm-5 am, and Baker has signed an updated order related to face coverings.

The updated Stay at Home Advisory is here: https://www.mass.gov/news/stay-at-home-advisory

On 10/22/20, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $774M comprehensive plan to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns and ensuring housing stability. Partnerships for Recovery begins today by directing $115M in new funding to small businesses and Main Streets hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and for workforce training efforts. Additionally, the Administration is aligning multiple funding sources, both existing and proposed, to appropriately respond to the crisis.

Partnerships for Recovery supports five key recovery efforts:

- Getting Massachusetts back to work
- Supporting small businesses
- Revitalizing downtowns
- Supporting housing equity and stability
- Fostering innovation

Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, Labor and Workforce Secretary Rosalin Acosta, and Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan joined Joe Kriesberg, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations to announce the plan at the Gardner Auditorium.

"This plan represents a comprehensive strategy to get people back to work and to support the small businesses hit the hardest by the pandemic, putting the Commonwealth on a path to recovery," said Governor Charlie Baker. "By leveraging existing tools and programs and implementing new ones this plan will allow us to make critical resources and assistance to those who need it most available now."

"While we continue to combat this pandemic, this plan takes an approach that addresses key needs of the businesses in downtowns and main streets, provides housing support for vulnerable families, and opens new doors for people seeking to return to work," said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “While we acknowledge we still have a ways to go, this plan will help to jumpstart our innovation economy and position Massachusetts to be on a path for success.”

- Putting $115M to work right away for small businesses and workforce training, including more than $25M to get people back to work;
- Directing $323M in existing capital programs as part of the response to continue doing more of what works;
- Filing for $122M through the Revised H.2 budget to supplement existing funding in support of struggling Main Street businesses and skill building for residents;
- Steering $43M in Federal, trust and other state funding toward our most critical needs; and
- Committing $171M to keep people safely housed during the pandemic.

Getting People Back to Work

To get people back to work, new investments are being made to build workforce skills, growing training programs and pathways, forging new partnerships between employers and workers, and supporting internet connectivity to facilitate remote work and online career advancement. The more than $25M available now includes:

- $10.4M to engage Massachusetts employers by expanding workforce partnerships with large employers in target sectors to create aligned statewide training-employment pathways;
- $9.2M to subsidize internet for low-income populations, and to expand hot spots in unserved and underserved communities;
- $3.2M to modernize MassHire virtual pathways to assess and connect UI claimants to appropriate services and supports;
- $2M to bolster manufacturing training by purchasing a standardized virtual training program to increase workforce for the manufacturing sector; and
- $300,000 to supplement $8.4M toward Career Technical Institutes in H.2 to help close the skills gap for skilled technician jobs and align training to industry needs.
An additional $54M is available to support workforce recovery efforts through existing programming such as the Skills Capital Grants program, the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and the Workforce Training Trust Fund.

Revised House 2 also proposes $17.9M in workforce funding, including $8.4 million in funding to transform vocational high schools into Career Technical Institutes running three shifts per day. This initiative is designed to train 20,000 new workers over four years in skilled trades and technical fields including plumbing, HVAC, manufacturing, and robotics. This will consist of a combination of enrolling more high school students in high-impact vocational trade programs and expanding capacity for adults to earn industry-based credentials, aligned to apprenticeships and post-secondary degrees.

"These funds will provide critical re-employment services to our workforce, helping people make the transition from unemployment benefits to good paying jobs in some of the Commonwealth's key long term job growth sectors," said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta.

Direct Support to Small Business and Main Street

To generate economic growth amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and support Main Streets across Massachusetts, the Administration is investing $322.8M in direct support of small and diverse businesses and local communities. This funding includes grants (see details below) to the hardest hit small businesses, especially small businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, or members of other underrepresented groups. These grant awards will allow small businesses to cover expenses such as rent, payroll, and utilities as they get back on their feet. Additional funding will support small businesses through hands-on and personalized technical assistance, including targeted support for women- and minority-owned businesses around digital and online technology as their business model pivots away from a brick-and-mortar location.

Many communities have seen their Main Streets and downtown districts hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and new funding aims to help cities and towns plan for short-term innovations and long-term recovery. A new $10M round of the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program will continue to help cities and towns quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in their communities. Separately, local recovery planning grants will soon be available to cities and towns to assist with long-term planning for their business districts. A total of $10M is available for this program.

To support the museums and other cultural facilities that have faced a particularly challenging reality this year, but remain a cornerstone of what Massachusetts offers to visitors, these institutions will be eligible for $10M in Cultural Facilities Operating Grants. This funding will help these organizations to make safety improvements and other upgrades to allow them to continue to offer their unique attractions and exhibits.

As part of this recovery plan, the Governor's recently filed revised budget proposal recommends over $100M in additional funding for economic recovery and development efforts, including $35M for community development financial institutions (CDFI) grants and loans, and $15M for matching grants for capital investments by businesses with 20 or fewer employees. Additionally, more than $115M in existing capital through programs such as MassWorks, and those in the MassDevelopment portfolio (Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, Site Readiness Program, Transformative Development Initiative, and Collaborative Workspaces), will be leveraged in support of economic recovery. This recovery plan complements the Administration's $275M economic recovery package, which was announced in June.

Small Business and Main Street Highlights (new funding):

- $50.8M in Small Business Grants to help the hardest hit businesses;

- $10M to continue funding the Shared Streets and Spaces Program;

- $10M for local recovery planning grants to support cities and towns;

- $10M to support cultural facilities such as museums;
- $8.3 million in small business technical assistance to help businesses access grant programs and loans, as well as help build business management skills, resilience, and other support in navigating pandemic impacts;
- Including $2.3 million to provide personalized technical assistance to woman- and minority-owned businesses;

"Our current circumstances call for a plan with the size and scope to match the urgency we need to address the most pressing challenges we now face," said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. "By targeting vital resources toward these key areas, this strategy will allow us to lay a solid foundation for our path to recovery."

Additional Investments

To keep people safely in their homes during the pandemic and support small landlords with expenses, the Administration recently announced $171M in support of the Eviction Diversion Initiative. This comprehensive strategy includes funding to help to cover housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments, invest in new programs around mediation and legal representation, and provide repaid rehousing when a tenant is evicted. Additionally, the Administration continues to invest in the Commonwealth's stock of affordable rental housing with $121M in direct subsidies.

Massachusetts has long been a hotbed of innovation and creativity in science and technology, and sectors such as the life sciences and advanced manufacturing are not only critical to the innovation economy, but also continue to contribute to the response to the coronavirus. To ensure we continue to lead in this space, $62M in existing capital funding through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and MassVentures is available to support recovery and growth.

Small Business Grant Program Details

Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) is administering the Small Business Grants program, with $50.8M available beginning today. Grant awards range between $25,000 - $75,000, and eligibility criteria and applications are available here.

As part of this grant program, preference is given to small businesses whose owners are women, minorities, veterans, members of other underrepresented groups, or focused on serving the Gateway Cities of Massachusetts, who have been unable to open and those most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Preference is also given to applicants that have not been able to receive aid from other federal programs, including PPP and other relief related to COVID-19.

The program has two distinct funding 'doors' based on business size, with different eligibility criteria, which is available online. Applicants must review the information to determine which program to proceed with applying.

Governor Baker reported that public health experts have noticed an increase in positive cases, which was a possibility considering the "increased activity" in the fall and colder weather. While colleges have some students on campus, the Governor added that there has been aggressive testing on campuses. The Governor gave an update on COVID-19 testing, saying that in May, the Commonwealth’s 7-day average was around 15,000 tests a day. Now the Commonwealth has been averaging around steadily 55,000 tests a day over the past couple of weeks.

Governor Baker also announced that lower risk communities can transition to the second step of Phase 3.

Effective October 5, a limited number of sectors will be eligible to reopen, with restrictions, in Step II of Phase III for lower risk communities only: 

• Indoor performance venues will be permitted to open with 50% capacity with a maximum of 250 people.

• Outdoor performance venue capacity will increase to 50% with a max of 250 people.

• For arcades and indoor and outdoor recreation businesses, additional Step II activities like trampolines, obstacle courses, roller rinks and laser tag will also be permitted to open and capacity will increase to 50%.

• Fitting rooms will be permitted to open in all types of retail stores. 

• Gyms, museums, libraries and driving and flight schools will also be permitted to increase their capacity to 50%.

The Governor’s Revised Gatherings Order is the following:

• The limit for indoor gatherings remains at a maximum of 25 people for all communities.

• Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 50 people for all communities. 

• Outdoor gatherings at event venues and in public settings will have a limit of 50 people in Step I communities, and a limit of 100 people in lower risk, Step II communities.

On August 7, 2020, Governor Baker signed an updated gatherings order, effective Tuesday, August 11,  which will:

• Reduce the limit on outdoor gatherings from 100 to 50 people (indoor gatherings limit will remain at 25 people)
• Apply these limits to all types of gatherings, on both public and private property
• Require face coverings where more than 10 people from different households will be mixing.

To read the gatherings order, click here.

To read the updated restaurant protocols, click here.

More: https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-new-initiatives-to-stop-spread-of-covid-19

On July 24, 2020, Governor Baker filed an executive order that says all travelers entering Massachusetts, including both out of state residents and Mass. residents returning home, will be required to comply with a new travel order effective August 1.
Under the new executive order, anyone entering Massachusetts will need to fill out a form about their travel, then either self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival or submit negative test results (taken within 3 days). The executive order states that it can fine those who do not quarantine or prove they tested negative for COVID-19 up to $500 per day. Travelers from lower risk states are not required to fill out the new form and do not need to quarantine. States that meet these criteria include those where average daily cases per 100K are below 6, and a positive test rate below 5%, both measured as a 7-day rolling average. As of today, those states are on that list: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Hawaii.

Massachusetts Travel Form

More >

Reopening Massachusetts: Governor Initiates Transition to Third Phase of Four-Phase Approach
Consistent with Public Health Data and Trends,

Phase III, Step 1 of Reopening Massachusetts Set to Begin on July 6

On July 2, 2020, the Governor announced that on July 6, Phase III, Step 1 of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will begin and updates on gatherings will be in effect. For the City of Boston, Phase III and the gatherings order will take effect on Monday, July 13. 

The Department of Public Health (DPH) also issued updated guidance to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

Full guidance and list of businesses eligible to reopen in Step One of Phase III can be found at www.mass.gov/reopening. Businesses and sectors set to begin opening in Phase III are subject to compliance with all mandatory safety standards.

June 8: Phase 2 Reopening begins

Massachusetts moved into the second phase of its re-opening plan on June 8 as restaurants opened for outdoor dining, hotels permitted room guests and retailers welcomed shoppers back inside their stores. Meanwhile, the state projects a $6.2B deficit in its Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund by the end of 2021.
Refer to the Reopening Massachusetts and Mass.gov COVID-19 site for regular updates on business openings, testing facilities, and other resources and refer to Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces for additional guidance.

Employers are also encouraged to review any re-opening guidance issued by local municipalities.

Phase 2 of Reopening begins June 8

On June 6, Governor Baker announced that Phase Two of the Commonwealth’s reopening plan will begin on Monday, June 8.

The following businesses will be eligible to reopen in Step One of Phase II on June 8, with contingencies: retail, with occupancy limits; Childcare facilities and day camps, with detailed guidance; Restaurants, outdoor table service only; hotels and other lodgings, no events, functions or meetings; warehouses and distribution centers; personal services without close physical contact, such as home cleaning, photography, window washing, career coaching and education tutoring; post-secondary, higher education, vocational-tech and occupation schools for the purpose of completing graduation requirements; youth and adult amateur sports, with detailed guidance; outdoor recreation facilities professional sports practices, no games or public admissions; non-athletic youth instructional classes in arts, education or life skills and in groups of less than 10; driving and flight schools; outdoor historical spaces, no functions, gatherings or guided tours; Funeral homes, with occupancy limits

The following businesses will be eligible reopen in Step Two of Phase II at a later date to be determined: indoor table service at restaurants and close-contact personal services, with restrictions, including: hair removal and replacement, nail care, skin care, massage therapy, makeup salons and makeup application services, tanning salons, tattoo, piercing and body art services and personal training, with restrictions

Governor Baker also announced that health care providers may also incrementally resume in-person elective, non-urgent procedures and services, including routine office visits, dental visits and vision care subject to compliance with public health and safety standards. All other in-person medical, behavioral health, dental and vision services may also resume on Monday, except for elective cosmetic procedures and in-person day programs, which will be included in Phase III. Telehealth must continue to be utilized and prioritized to the greatest extent possible, whenever feasible and appropriate.

Additionally, Baker reported that a total of 630,000 viral COVID-19 tests have been completed, and testing continues to increase throughout the state. Since mid-April, the 7-day average for the positive COVID-19 test rate is down 82%, the 3-day average of hospitalized patients is down 55%, and the number of hospitals in surge is down 76%.

Governor Baker’s full guidance document is located here

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh started his press conference with an update on the COVID-19 numbers in the City of Boston: on 5/18  there were 11,950 confirmed cases. Last week, Boston’s positive test result rate was 13.9%, a new low. The number of positive cases in the hardest-hit neighborhoods in Boston continues to decline. Despite the positives, the numbers still give a reason for caution. The Mayor urged residents to continue to stay home, practice social distancing, wash their hands and wear masks in public.

Mayor Walsh discussed the Governor’s phased reopening plan released yesterday: Open air construction projects in Boston are able to resume this week, with others opening next week. Contractors must submit COVID safety plans to return to work and safety training for inspectors. Nearly 2,300 safety plans have been submitted to the city. He reported that the city is in the process of developing a detailed plan for Boston offices. The statewide plan allows for 25% capacity on offices reopening on May 25, but the City of Boston will allow offices to reopen on June 1. The city will share guidelines for Boston offices next week. The City of Boston will allow small businesses to resume curbside pickups on May 25.

Monday, May 18: Governor Charlie Baker announced that phase 1 begins today, which means manufacturing and construction sites are allowed to reopen, as early as today, if they meet the guidelines. Places of worship are allowed to reopen if they follow the guidelines set for them. Around the state, offices spaces can reopen on May 25 if they meet health guidelines, and office spaces in Boston can start June 1. One of the new requirements is that office space can only reopen with 25% capacity. During phase 1, emergency childcare will be expanded for families that have no other option.

Hairdressers and barbers are included in phase 1 and can reopen by appointment only, starting May 25. Restaurants, hotels, retail stores, nail salons, and public pools are included in phase 2. There will be at least a 3 week minimum waiting period between phases, but it could be longer, depending on data from health officials. Summer camps will be included in phases 2 and 3, and casinos, museums, and other entertainment-related businesses will get the green light in phase 3.

The “stay at home” advisory has been changed to a “safer at home” advisory, which the Governor urged residents to still stay at home unless they absolutely need to go out. Limit on gatherings still remains at 10 people. 

The full reopening report and guidelines and are located below.

Full Reopening MA Report

Sector-specific protocols and best practices:

• Construction - Permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020
• Manufacturing - Permitted to reopen on May 18, 2020
• Office Spaces - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020 (with the exception of Boston, which are permitted to reopen on June 1, 2020)
• Laboratories - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020
• Hair Salons and Barbershops - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020
• Car Washes - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020
• Pet Grooming Services - Permitted to reopen on May 25, 2020

City of Boston Construction Protocols

On Friday, April 17, the City published a draft COVID-19 Safety Policy for Construction.  These are new requirements, designed to make job sites safer for workers and communities, that are expected to be implemented by Monday, April 27. 

Main Link

Due to COVID-19, the City of Boston will be implementing new protocols for essential construction work in the City of Boston. All essential construction sites must now submit a COVID-19 Safety Plan and a COVID-19 Safety Affidavit. These policies go into effect on April 27, 2020 for all essential construction. Nothing in these new protocols changes what construction is currently allowable in the City of Boston right now, but when construction resumes at some point, compliance with this policy will be required.

COVID-19 Safety Plan
This document will detail the job site practices that the contractor will follow to protect worker safety. Every contractor will be required to provide the City with this document when applying for a permit. If a job is already permitted, contractors must provide this document by April 27 or before work starts.
There are six key elements the City will be need in each plan:

1. steps taken before shifts start to ensure workers are healthy;
2. practices to ensure social distancing that can be achieved on the job site;
3. materials provided to ensure job site hygiene;
4. protocols for the use of personal protective equipment;
5. communications and training practices to ensure everyone is informed; and
6. procedures in case there is COVID-19 exposure on the job site.

To help with this, the City has provided a Safety Plan Worksheet for guidance.

COVID-19 Safety Affidavit
This Safety Affidavit attests that the contractor has created, provided to the City, and will implement its COVID-19 Safety Plan. It follows the same requirements as the Safety Plan. Failure to adhere to the policy may result in approval to work being revoked. 

MassDOT Traffic Count Data Collaborative

Help MassDOT Highway with this effort to make historical traffic count data more easily accessible to those who need it. More

Massport sent us the attached Centralized Screening Procedures. Massport has established a centralized screening station at Logan Airport to allow for the expedient and efficient daily screening for COVID-19 for all employees associated with major construction projects located at Logan airport.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

MBTA has sent us the attached guidelines to report known or presumptive COVID-19 cases involving Consultant/ Vendor/ Contractor workforces to the MBTA.  Case Incident Reporting

Signed into law April 3, took effect immediately, now Session Law 53 of the Acts of 2020

This law has implications for how certain private sector development might move forward in pre-construction and permitting. 

For Design Professionals, this new law:

• establishes a framework for modifications to local permitting regulations.
• defines applications for permits as duly filed and accepted as of the date of the filing if filed with and certified as received by the municipality;
• allows permit granting authorities to deny an applications completeness if otherwise denied or appealed on other grounds;
• allows submission of permit applications and sending of permit application receipts electronically;
• suspends any hearing deadlines otherwise required within a certain timeframe after receipt of an application as of March 10;
• provides for resumption of the deadlines 45 days after the termination of the COVID-19 state of emergency;
• prohibits expiration of any permits or and tolls deadlines for performance until after the termination of the COVID-19 state of emergency;
• prohibits the constructive granting, denial or expiration of a permit due to a failure to act during the COVID-19 state of emergency;
• requires resumption of activity within 45 days of the termination of the COVID-19 state of emergency;
• extends requirements for recording of permits with the registries of deeds; tolls and continues hearings for opened permits to the first hearing date after expiration of the COVID-19 state of emergency
• authorizes permit granting authorities to revoke or modify permits as otherwise allowed under existing laws or regulations for reasons other than lack of performance during the COVID-19 state of emergency when the work started before March 10, 2020 and stopped due to the state of emergency or other governmental actions;
• extends protection from permit revocation or modification for at least 60 days beyond the termination of the state of emergency;
• entitles a permit holder to further extensions for demonstrated good cause;
• allows the permit granting authority to issue an extension without the presence of a quorum.
• allows permit granting authorities to hold meetings and hearings remotely during the COVID-19 state of emergency; further allows permit granting authorities to issue decisions on permit applications submitted and heard;
• additionally allows building commissioners, inspectors of buildings, or other officials to issue permits;
• applies changes related to local permitting authority to all local boards and commissions’ conduct of public meetings, public hearings, or other actions taken in a quasi-judicial capacity.

Other key parts of the new law:

• grants municipalities greater flexibility to conduct business during the ongoing public health emergency;
• allows for town meetings to be postponed for 30 days, including past a statutory cut-off of June 30, 2020;
• allows the calling of a recess and continuation of a town meeting during any weather-related, public safety or public health emergency, and for up to 5 days after its termination;
• authorizes use of at least half of the monthly appropriation from the most recent budget for each month in which an emergency prevents adoption of a subsequent annual budget;
• authorizes use of a municipality's “free cash” during the COVID-19 state of emergency;
• authorizes and regulates amortization of deficit amounts incurred due to the COVID-19 state of emergency.
• amends various provisions related to the billing and collection of local taxes, including real estate taxes during the COVID-19 state of emergency;
• extends the deadline for filing of income tax returns and submission of payments until July 15, 2020.
• authorizes entities otherwise licensed to sell alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises to sell them for off premise consumption, in their original, sealed containers, with existing transactions for the sale of food.

April 3: Some of this is information we posted earlier this week, but note the updated links highlighted, including the final borrower application for the Paycheck Protection Program. 

Assistance for Small Businesses

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards.

• For a top-line overview of the program CLICK HERE
• If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE
• If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE
• Final Borrower Application Form *NEW*
• Lender Electronic Data Form *NEW*
• Paycheck Protection Program – Interim Final Rule *NEW*

Paycheck Protection Program Resources

• SBA Paycheck Protection Program website
• Department of the Treasury CARES Act website

On March 31, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker extended his emergency order to close non-essential businesses and his stay-at-home advisory until May 4. It requires all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public.  In addition, the Administration also updated the “COVID-19 Essential Services” categories.

The list of “essential” construction related activities was modified so that only construction related to housing (including mixed use with housing) and critical infrastructure are now considered “essential.”  

The revised construction-related activities list is:
- Workers performing housing construction related activities, including construction of mixed-use projects that include housing, to ensure additional units can be made available to combat the Commonwealth’s existing housing supply shortage.

– Workers supporting the construction of housing, including those supporting government functions related to the building and development process, such as inspections, permitting and plan review services that can be modified to protect the public health, including allowing qualified private third-party inspections accountable to government agencies.

- Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, builders, contractors, HVAC Technicians, landscapers, inspectors and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, businesses and buildings such as hospitals, health care facilities, senior living facilities, and any temporary construction required to support COVID-19 response.

- Workers – including contracted vendors – who support the operation, inspection, maintenance and repair of essential public works facilities and operations, including roads and bridges, water and sewer, laboratories, fleet maintenance personnel, construction of critical or strategic infrastructure, traffic signal maintenance, emergency location services for buried utilities, and maintenance of digital systems infrastructure supporting public works operations. Critical or strategic infrastructure includes public works construction including construction of public schools, colleges and universities and construction of state facilities, including leased space, managed by the Division of Capital Asset Management; airport operations; water and sewer; gas, electrical, nuclear, oil refining and other critical energy services; roads and highways; public transportation; steam; solid waste and recycling collection and removal; and internet and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services).

- Workers who support infrastructure, such as by road and line clearing and utility relocation, to ensure the availability of and access to needed facilities, transportation, energy and communications.   The previous definition of construction workers was as follows: “
Construction Workers who support the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction)”.

On March 28, 2020, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued: Advisory Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response

This advisory is being used by states as a guidance document. As of March 30, 2020, Massachusetts and local law enforcement are not stopping engineers, land surveyors and other design professionals from doing their work as long as the work is being done in a way that is consistent with health and safety protocols in the guidance document provided to municipalities and construction sites last week. 

3/27/20 1:30 PM: The US House just passed the CARES Act, sending the package to the White House where it was signed by the President.  

CARES Act, section by section summary

Coronavirus Supplemental Appropriations Summary 

Here's some information on the small business provisions. 

Small Business Program Overview

The new law establishes a Paycheck Protection Program to assist qualifying small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals through the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) loan program.  $349B is authorized for 7(a) lending from Feb. 15 through June 30, and SBA would fully guarantee the loans.  Loans would be available during the covered period for:

• Any business, nonprofit, veterans group, or tribal business with 500 or fewer employees, or a number set by the SBA for the relevant industry.  ACEC is seeking clarification on this point – whether SBA will implement the loan program using the traditional size standard for engineering, or something broader.
• Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and eligible self-employed workers would be eligible.

Eligible recipients could receive loans up to $10M or 250% of their average monthly payroll costs, instead of $5M, with interest rates capped during the covered period at 4%.  Loans can be used to cover eligible payroll costs -- salaries, commissions, regular paid leave, and health-care benefits -- as well as mortgage interest and utility payments. Firms would be required to make a “good faith certification” that funds will be used to retain workers, maintain payroll, and pay for rent and similar expenses.  Funds cannot be used to compensate individual employees at an annual rate above $100,000, or to pay for emergency sick or family leave under the second coronavirus response package.

Loan Forgiveness – key elements

• Recipients of SBA-guaranteed loans under the Paycheck Protection Program can apply for loan forgiveness over eight weeks for eligible payroll costs and for mortgage interest, rent, and utility payments -- SBA would pay lenders for any canceled debt plus accrued interest.

• Loan forgiveness would be reduced for businesses that fire employees or cut their pay.

• Canceled debt would be excluded from borrowers’ gross income for tax purposes.

• The measure also would authorize and provide $17 billion for the SBA to pay the principal, interest, and associated fees for loans under the 7(a), 504, and microloan programs for six months.

Disaster Loans 

The package provides $10 billion to expand the SBA’s disaster loan program from Jan. 31 through Dec. 31 to cover businesses, cooperatives, employee stock ownership plans, and tribal businesses with 500 or fewer employees, as well as sole proprietors and independent contractors.  The measure also authorizes SBA to advance up to $10,000 to existing and newly eligible disaster loan recipients within three days of receiving their applications. Recipients could use the advance funds to pay sick leave to employees affected by Covid-19, retain employees, address interrupted supply chains, make rent or mortgage payments, and repay debt. They wouldn’t have to repay the advance funds.

During Governor Baker's daily press conference he announced that his office is asking all travelers arriving to Massachusetts to self-quarantine for 14 days. He reported that starting 3/27 info flyers will be available at Logan airport, Worcester airport and South Station. Roadside message boards will also alert drivers.

For the second day in a row, Baker spent time during the press conference to urge the use of telehealth options to more safely facilitate interactions between patients and heath care providers. He reminded the public that his administrator ordered telehealth to be covered by all health insurances and urged everyone to take full advantage of it. The Governor announced a new partnership, with Buoy Health, an online resource for residents to receive medical guidance from the safety of their home. The Governor reminded the public that Bouy Health should not be used in place of emergency medical care and it is free for Massachusetts residents and a tool to get guidance.

3/26/20: The full bill text of the Federal CARES Act, which passed the US Senate on 3/25/20 is available here. To read a section by section analysis of the Act, click here. And click here to view the Senate Appropriations Committee's supplemental summary.

The US House is hoping to act on this bill on March 27.

The state has issued COVID-19 Guidelines and Procedures for All Construction Sites and Workers at All Public Work
These guidelines and procedures

- were developed in collaboration with the other state awarding entities so that a consistent document is being implemented and followed across the state.
- take effect immediately. MassDOT recognizes that many contractors already have them in place. ALL contractors working on state projects will be implementing the same requirements.

Several specific requirements to note:
- At the start of every shift, employees must certify to their supervisor that they are healthy, have had no symptoms in the last 24 hours, has not been in contact with anyone testing positive, and are not under order by a doctor to be isolated.
- Employers are expected to develop their own, workable certification process – which could include verbal check-ins, paper certification, email, or phone call, for example. It is most important that a daily check-in is occurring.

Baker Administration Issues New Construction Guidance to Municipalities Clarifying Construction as an Essential Service 

On March 25, 2020, the Baker Administration issued construction guidance to Massachusetts municipalities overturning all local construction moratoriums. March 25, Governor Baker issued guidance  clarifying that the March 23, 2020 Order “Assuring Continued Operation of Essential Services in the Commonwealth, Closing Certain Workplaces, and Prohibiting Gatherings of More than 10 People” supersedes and makes inoperative any order or rule issued by a municipality that will or might in any way impede or interfere with the achievement of the objectives of this order. “Construction Workers who support the construction, operation, inspection and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects” are deemed essential.

This guidance advises all municipalities that had issued their own directives, policies and regulations in place regarding construction to withdraw their orders.

Link to letter sent to all municipalities.

Note: This letter includes important construction safety guidance related to COVID-19.

On March 25, 2020, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh extended the City of Boston's construction moratorium until further notice, citing safety and health concerns for workers and Boston residents. 

Link to Press Release

Note: This policy only applies to projects permitted by the City of Boston.

New Legislation Proposes Extension of Permits During Current State of Emergency

On March 24, Governor Baker filed H. 4586, An Act to Further Address Challenges Faced by Municipalities, School Districts, and State Authorities Resulting from COVID-19. While the bill addresses several topics, Section 9 of the bill addresses the tolling of permits.  Specifically, the language provides the following:

• No permit is automatically granted, approved, or denied because a local permitting authority does not act within a time period required by law.
• Any permit that is currently valid will not lapse or expire during the state of emergency, and suspends any time limitation on such permits during the emergency.
• Allows applications for permits to be filed electronically, so as to eliminate the need for in-person filing.
• Suspends any requirement that a hearing on a permit application be held within a certain period of time until 45 days after the end of the state of emergency.  

These changes will provide necessary relief to cities and towns that, due to disruptions caused by the state of emergency, are unable to timely process and hear permitting applications. At the same time, these changes balance the needs of residents and developers by ensuring that their current permits are not impaired by the emergency.