EDITOR’S NOTE: The initial version of this story indicated capacity limits on restaurants could increase from 40% to 50%. Gov. Baker’s announcement, however, confirmed that restaurants will be able to open to full capacity. Indoor performance venues will be able to open to 50% capacity.
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Gov. Charlie Baker will allow businesses in Massachusetts, including, restaurants, large capacity venues and indoor performance centers to open or increase capacity, according to a source with knowledge of the governor’s announcement.
Baker is expected to make the announcement at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Stadiums, arenas and exhibition halls, including venues that can hold 5,000 people or more, will be allowed to open at 12% capacity effective March 22, the source said
Also effective March 22, event facilities will be allowed to open with 100 guests indoors and 150 guests outdoors, according to the source. Dancing will be only allowed for weddings and events.
For restaurants, they will no longer be required to limit capacity beginning March 1. Party sizes at tables will remain capped at six people with a 90-minute limit on how long a group can stay at a restaurant. Musical performances, with proper distancing, will be allowed in restaurants.
At the beginning of the month, Baker increased capacity limits for certain businesses from 25% to 40%. He cited lowering COVID numbers.
Numbers have continued to drop even since that time. As of Wednesday, there are roughly 33,332 active infections statewide according to the Department of Public Health.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control on Wednesday, 16.1% of Massachusetts’ population have now received at least one COVID vaccine dose. People who have received the two doses needed for vaccination is now at 5.9% of the state’s population.
Despite the new measures allowing for increased capacity, bars and nightclubs will remain closed, the source said.
Bars, nightclubs and large performance venues have been closed for the majority of the pandemic.
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