Gov. Baker Imposes New Round of COVID-19 Restrictions

Governor Baker has announced new measures as cases of COVID-19 continue to spike.

According to Baker, new statewide restrictions will go into effect this Saturday, December 26, and last for at least two weeks.

• 25% capacity for most industries -- including restaurants, personal services, theaters, performance venues, casinos, office spaces, retail, houses of worship, fitness centers, libraries, lodging.
• Indoor capacity reduced to 10 people, including events
• Outdoor capacity reduced to 25 people
• All in-patient elective surgeries are to be canceled/postponed starting Saturday at 12:01 a.m.

These restrictions are in addition to the stay-at-home advisory, face mask requirement, and early closures already in place.

Baker says the plan is to pause activity and reduce mobility, without closing schools and businesses.

There are no changes to school guidelines.

The news comes two weeks after Baker rolled back the entire state’s reopening plan back to Phase 3, Step 1 due to an increase in cases and hospitalizations following the Thanksgiving holiday.