Governor Baker Sets Curfew For Businesses, Gatherings; Mask Mandate

Governor Charlie Baker has announced new COVID-19 restrictions for Massachusetts, which include a curfew for businesses, less capacity allowed for indoor gatherings and an update to its face covering mandate.

The state will have a curfew from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, which will include certain exceptions, including work or grocery shopping, CBS Boston reports.

Baker signed an executive order requiring indoor recreation facilities, theaters, casinos and other entertainment venues to close before 9:30 p.m., while restaurants will be required to stop serving tables at 9:30 p.m., but will still be allowed to provide takeout service after that time.

The decision comes as Massachusetts continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases.

“Our message here is very simple. We can’t afford to continue to do what are we doing,” Baker said via CBS Boston. “We want to do everything in our power to avoid reverting back to Phase 1 or Phase 2 of our reopening plan, but that requires us all to step up and make some changes.”

Private indoor gatherings at homes will also be reduced from 25 to 10 people. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 25 individuals.

Both indoor and outdoor events in private or public are mandated to end before 9:30 p.m. The state will also require all individuals above the age of five to wear face coverings in public, even if social distancing guidelines are met.

“The mask requirement remains what I would describe as guidance. But the difference here is we’re eliminating the six-foot spread. We’re basically saying if you go out in public wear a mask,” Baker said via CBS Boston.

Last week, CBS Boston reported 121 communities in Massachusetts were considered high risk for coronavirus infections, including six impacted by a cluster at a long-term care facility, college or prison. Twenty-eight communities have already opted to take a step back in their COVID-19 reopening process amid the spike in cases, CBS Boston reports.

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