New Massachusetts COVID mandates: what you need to know

On November 2, Governor Charlie Baker announced the implementation of several new mandates to curb the spread of COVID-19, citing the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts. These mandates went into effect on Friday, November 6. Here are the new targeted measures that you and your patients should be aware of.

What are the new COVID rules?

Here are the new measures in place intended to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Limits on size of indoor and outdoor gatherings. Massachusetts has restricted the size of gatherings in private residences to 10 indoors and 25 outdoors. Gatherings at event venues and public settings are limited to 25 indoors and 50 to 100 outdoors depending on community risk level.
• Strengthened mask/face covering guidelines. Everyone is required to wear a mask or face covering in public places, regardless of whether or not you are able to physically distance.
• Updated stay-at-home advisory. All residents and visitors are instructed to stay home from 10 PM to 5 AM. The advisory allows for activities such as going to work, running critical errands to get groceries and address health needs, and taking a walk. Find more info on the advisory here.
• 9:30 PM closure time for many businesses. This allows the business to close in time for its employees and customers to get home by the 10 PM curfew. Affected businesses include restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, museums, and more.

For more information on the new mandates, read the Governor’s press release.