Mask orders and nearly all other restrictions will be lifted by Memorial Day.
Governor Baker Suddenly Fast Tracks Reopening
Monday, May 17, 2021 - 12:47pm
UPDATED Monday, May 17, 2021 - 3:45pm
In a pre-summer jolt, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday that he would fast-track the state reopening process by rescinding mask orders, lifting all Covid-19 restrictions before Memorial Day and ending the 15-month state of emergency June 15.
The governor had previously announced a phased end to the reopening process that would take place over the next four months, with most of the state's stringent Covid restrictions on restaurants, retail, bars and nightlife set to expire on August 1.
But with vaccination rates surging and case numbers dwindling — and the recent loosening in the Center for Disease Control's mask guidance — Governor Baker did a surprise about-face Monday, announcing in a press release and accompanying briefing that all industries would be permitted to open at full capacity Saturday, May 29.
State gathering limits and face covering orders will also be rescinded on the same day, the governor said, replaced by the CDCs guidance for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Unvaccinated residents are still urged to wear face coverings in indoor settings, while vaccinated residents will be advised that they can return to pre-pandemic normalcy.
Face coverings will still be required on public transportation, including ferries, according to the press release.
In the press briefing and release, Governor Baker said the state was on track to reach its goal of vaccinating approximately four million residents by the first week of June, with 75 per cent of residents already having received a first shot. And with new positive Covid-19 cases dropping by 89 per cent since the beginning of January, he said the time was now to officially reopen the state.
Case rates had declined for the prior five weeks before leveling out on Monday. — Courtesy Island boards of health
"Massachusetts is effectively battling back in its campaign against the virus," Governor Baker said. "We're safer, smarter, and better equipped in this fight than ever."
Starting May 18, youth sports will also no longer require masks and all restrictions will be lifted on youth sports May 29. Guidance for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will also be updated to no longer require masks for outdoor school activities.
The reopening announcement comes as case numbers have trended downward on the Island since spiking in late March. But Edgartown remains one of five towns across the commonwealth still in the red for cases, with a 14-day incidence rate of 57.7, nearly double the rate that qualifies a community as high risk.
In a weekly case update that came out Monday, health agents reported that Island cases actually remained steady, even as numbers declined across the state. The Island reported 33 new positive coronavirus tests between May 9 and May 15, one more than the 32 reported the prior week. Cases had shown dramatic declines the prior five weeks.
According to health agents, Dukes and Nantucket counties have the highest positivity rates in the state.
Twenty of the 33 new cases this week were among Islanders under the age of 30, with 10 between 20 and 29 years of age, and 10 under the age of 20. Of the 33 positive cases, 22 were symptomatic, seven were asymptomatic and four were unknown.
The Island vaccination process continues to roll ahead, with the hospital reporting more than 12,576 people receiving a first shot and a mobile vaccine bus on-Island until Wednesday.
Jack Conway, sarasota florida
Think I saw this Movie
May 17, 2021 - 12:58pm
MHG, WT
"We need summer dollars. Now, if the people can't swim here, they'll be glad to swim at the beaches of Cape Cod, the Hamptons, Long Island..."
May 17, 2021 - 3:44pm
Vaccinated, MV
There are two ways to build herd immunity. The easy way and the hard way. Vaccination is the easy way, and most have gone this route. Pretty much everyone has had this free opportunity. The nice thing about the great unmasking is it will speed the harder transition. If you aren't vaccinated and haven't been sick yet you can bet you will get sick now. I support freedom and choice! Best of luck to all of us and happy summer.
Lawrence , West Tisbury
Maybe, and among the people who haven't been vaccinated are everyone's kids. But hey there's summer tourism at stake.
May 18, 2021 - 6:02am
Many kids can get vaccinated. Those that are too young can continue whatever you have been doing. I do not cross paths with young children very much. Get Vaxxed
Liz, Edgartown
Yes! Yes! Yes!!! Time to return to normal, most of us are vaccinated at this point and for those who are unwilling to get the vaccination will be susceptible (their responsibility) as the vaccinated will be protected and will be protecting others. Those who want to keep up the masking, social distancing, etc., their choice, just like the vaccinated should have the choice to resume living freely mask free. I celebrate this decision, and those who do not, have the choice to protect themselves however they see fit and avoid public exposure. I look forward to dining out and shopping at all of fabulous stores and boutiques around the island! Happy Summer!!
Evan, Oak bluffs
Picture here is oak bluffs very own Chris !!
John Aldeborgh , Edgartown
I'm retired, spent the Winter in the USVI and was vaccinated in late January and early February. Things there have been effectively open with the mask rule in place until you sit down at a restaurant, set out your towel on the beach or leave the harbor on a snorkeling trip, then off come the masks. Life has been almost normal with no spike in cases and no one even talking about COVID-19. We've had both friends and family visit and get vaccinated while staying with us, it was free and easy. Please anyone holding out not getting vaccinated, talk to your doctor and follow his/her advice. Let's get back to normal.....and soon.
JJ, Edgartown
Well your freedom ends where my safety begins. Just get the damn shot for Christ sake!
Ron, Edgartown
I cannot see how anyone would characterize this belated announcement as "fast tracking" when the CDC (itself acting belated) finally conceded last week that there was no longer any scientific argument to require vaccinated persons to wear masks. If the Governor "followed the science," as he claims to do, then he would have removed mask mandates effective immediately last Friday. The fact that he is waiting until Memorial day to lift mask mandates reveals how illogical his policies are. What is going to happen in the next 11 days in terms of Covid that has not already happened ?
There was not enough scientific data two weeks ago to be confident that variants weren't breaking through (they are but the impact isn't life threatening) and that vaccinated people wouldn't infect others. They got their results last week and turned on a dime. The delay is to allow the people who didn't lie and waited their turn for the vaccine to be fully protected before the great unmasking. This is really a pretty aggressive move...and there will be casualties, but it will mostly come from those who chose not to vaccinate. And most of those people will be fine, in fact many have already had the bug and have some diminishing immunity. The delay is to allow those who waited their turn to be safe. I've been safe for months and apparently can't make them sick, but I will gladly wear a mask a few weeks longer as a sign of appreciation. Come June, it is gonna get interesting.
Mm, VH
That is absolutely not what the CDC said. You are misrepresenting the facts, and that is dangerous.
June, West Palm Beach Florida
Our governor did it here in Florida and Our death rate went up rather quickly please people be very careful. We went from a very low level one to fully opened overnight a few months ago. There was no in between.