Gov. Baker Warns Mass. Residents To Limit Holiday Celebrations To Household

Governor Charlie Baker warned Massachusetts residents to limit in-person holiday celebrations to household members as the state has continued to see a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the weeks since Thanksgiving.

“It’s pretty simple. The safest way to celebrate this year is with members of your own household, and to postpone or cancel any travel plans, and to avoid gatherings with people you don’t live with,” Baker said during a press conference at the State House on Tuesday via the Boston Herald.

The Massachusetts Health Department has reported nearly double the COVID-19 cases since the days leading up to Thanksgiving, which the governor referred to as "troubling data trends." The state reported a seven-day average of 2,501 new daily cases 10 days before Thanksgiving and later reported an average of 4,668 cases 10 days after, which equaled a 96% increase, the governor confirmed.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have also jumped 93% during the past three weeks, which also includes a 73% increase in ICU patients and an 84% in deaths since Thanksgiving.

“We really can’t have … that kind of consequential repeat that Thanksgiving has been here in Massachusetts,” Baker said.

On Monday (December 14,) Gov. Baker announced Massachusetts will be returning to Phase 3 Step 1 beginning on Sunday, December 13, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases since Thanksgiving weekend.

“Here we are today, 12 days past Thanksgiving, and new infections and hospitalizations are showing disturbing trends,” Baker said in a press conference on Tuesday (December 8) via CBS Boston.

The transition back into Phase 3 Step 1 will close certain businesses including indoor performance and high contact indoor recreational facilities, as well as limit most other open businesses to 40% capacity and restaurants to six individuals per table.

Outdoor gatherings at event venues will also be reduced from 100 to 50 individuals permitted. Individuals who intend to host private outdoor gatherings exceeding 25 guests will need to notify their local board of health for approval.

Restaurant patrons will also need to wear masks at all times indoors unless eating or drinking, which means they will need to be masked while telling a server their order.

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