BOSTON (AP) — All remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted in Massachusetts on Memorial Day weekend, Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday, marking a major milestone in the state’s struggle against a disease that has claimed the lives of more than 17,000 residents in the past year.
Baker announced the decision at a Statehouse press conference, saying the state is on track to meeting its goal of vaccinating 4.1 million of the state’s 7 million residents by the first week of June.
The state’s face covering order will also be rescinded on May 29 for most settings, according to Baker.
Face coverings will still be mandatory on public and private transportation systems – including rideshares, taxis, ferries, MBTA subways and busses, commuter rail and transportation stations – and in health care facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations like congregate care settings.
State health officials are still advising nonvaccinated individuals to continue wearing face masks and to continue distancing in most settings.
Officials will also recommend that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear a face covering or social distance indoors or outdoors except for in certain situations after May 29.
Baker also announced that on June 15, he will end the formal state of emergency that has been in place in Massachusetts since the start of the pandemic.
Baker said the state will continue to do everything it can to increase access to vaccine shots to all residents especially in those communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The commonwealth was tested,” Baker said. “But together we all fought back.”
Baker said 75% of adults in Massachusetts have already received at least one dose, with 3.2 million fully vaccinated.
New cases have dropped by 89% since January 8. COVID-19 hospitalizations are down 88% since Jan. 1, and the positive test rate is down by 88% from peaking at 8.7% on January 1 to 1% today, Baker said.
Beginning May 29, all industries will be allowed to open across the state. Capacity will increase to 100% for all industries and gathering limits will be rescinded.
Christopher Carlozzi, Massachusetts state director for the National Federation of Independent Business, called the announcement “spectacular news for small businesses.”
“Now the real work begins to repair a battered small business economy and bring residents of the commonwealth back into the workplace,” he said in a written statement. “A real indicator of a return to normalcy will be the many ‘help wanted’ signs being removed from storefront windows.”
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SCHOOLS AND SUMMER CAMPS
Beginning May 18, state education officials will no longer require masks for outdoor activities like recess and will allow for the sharing of objects in classrooms, in both K-12 and child care settings.
Face coverings will remain required indoors for staff and students of K-12 schools and early education providers.
Also Tuesday, the state’s COVID-19 guidance for youth and amateur sports will be updated to no longer require face coverings for youth athletes 18 and under while playing outdoor sports. Effective May 29, all youth and amateur sports COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted.
The administration is also planning to release updated guidance for summer camps effective May 29, which will include no longer requiring masks for outdoor activities.
