State COvid-19 Orders & Advisories
Current State Orders & Advisories
extended through January 24th
Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on December 26, 2020, Massachusetts will implement temporary capacity limits to stop the spread of COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations rise. Businesses must adhere to the new capacity limitations. The revised limits supersede existing limits in the Phase 3, Step 1 Sector-Specific Protocols. Except for the specified adjustments to capacity limitations, all other terms of COVID-19 gatherings order (including exceptions) and all sector-specific workplace safety rules remain unchanged. These limits are in effect until January 24, 2021 unless further extended by the Governor.
Effective December 13
Statewide Rollback to Phase 3, Step 1
The measures outlined below with go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 13. The entire Commonwealth will move to Phase 3, Step 1 of the Reopening Plan.
In addition, the following updates to capacity limits will go into effect:
• Outdoor gatherings at event venues and public spaces to 50 people
• Outdoor Theaters and Performance Venues to 25% and no more than 50 people
• Close Indoor Theaters and Performance Venues and a few smaller indoor recreation businesses like roller rinks and trampoline parks
Reduce capacity from 50% to 40% for several industry sectors noted below:
• Arcades/Indoor and Outdoor Recreational Businesses
• Driving and Flight Schools
• Gyms/Health Clubs
• Libraries
• Museums
• Retail
• Offices
• Places of Worship
• Lodging (common areas)
• Golf
• Movie theaters (no more than 50 people per theater)
Restaurants and Event Venues Protocols Updates:
• Wear masks at all times except when eating and drinking
• Seat no more than six per table and encourage customers to only dine with same household
• Put a 90-minute time limit on tables
• Prohibit all musical performances at restaurants
• Close food court seating
Workplaces and Fitness Centers Protocols Updates:
• Require mask wearing in offices when not in your own workspace and alone
• Require mask wearing at all times in gyms
• Encourage teleworking
All updates to sector specific guidance can be found on www.mass.gov/reopening later this week.
Download Business Sector Guidance Chart HERE.
In addition, the following updates to capacity limits will go into effect:
• Outdoor gatherings at event venues and public spaces to 50 people
• Outdoor Theaters and Performance Venues to 25% and no more than 50 people
• Close Indoor Theaters and Performance Venues and a few smaller indoor recreation businesses like roller rinks and trampoline parks
Reduce capacity from 50% to 40% for several industry sectors noted below:
• Arcades/Indoor and Outdoor Recreational Businesses
• Driving and Flight Schools
• Gyms/Health Clubs
• Libraries
• Museums
• Retail
• Offices
• Places of Worship
• Lodging (common areas)
• Golf
• Movie theaters (no more than 50 people per theater)
Restaurants and Event Venues Protocols Updates:
• Wear masks at all times except when eating and drinking
• Seat no more than six per table and encourage customers to only dine with same household
• Put a 90-minute time limit on tables
• Prohibit all musical performances at restaurants
• Close food court seating
Workplaces and Fitness Centers Protocols Updates:
• Require mask wearing in offices when not in your own workspace and alone
• Require mask wearing at all times in gyms
• Encourage teleworking
All updates to sector specific guidance can be found on www.mass.gov/reopening later this week.
Download Business Sector Guidance Chart HERE.
current State Guidelines for travelers
The Commonwealth has made great progress to slow the spread of COVID-19 and gradually re-open the economy, and all visitors have a responsibility to help us keep transmission levels as low as possible.
All visitors, over the age of 18, entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:
Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.
All visitors, over the age of 18, entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:
- Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless you are visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the Department of Public Health: Hawaii
- Quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.
Failure to comply may result in a $500 fine per day.
