PHASE REOPENING GUIDES

CURRENT STATE: PHASE IV, STEP 1 

(effective March 22,2021)

Phase IV, Step 1 and Gathering Changes:

On March 1, Massachusetts loosened capacity restrictions for several industries and advanced to Step 2 of Phase III of the reopening plan. Since then, hospitalizations dropped by 20% and deaths dropped by 24%. The seven day average of new cases in long-term care facilities dropped by 53%. The positive test rate remains below 2% and has been for several weeks now. The seven day average of new cases is also down over this time by 7%. 

Effective Monday, March 22, all communities in Massachusetts will move into Step 1 of Phase IV of the state’s reopening plan. This will open a range of previously closed business sectors under tight capacity restrictions that are expected to be adjusted over time if favorable trends in the public health data continue. Effective on the planned advancement to Step 1 of Phase IV, the following large capacity sports and entertainment venues will be permitted to operate at a strict 12% capacity limit after submitting a plan to the Department of Public Health (DPH):

• Indoor and outdoor stadiums
• Arenas
• Ballparks

Also effective on March 22, gathering limits for event venues and in public settings will increase to 100 people indoors and 150 people outdoors. Outdoor gatherings at private residences and in private backyards will remain at a maximum of 25 people, with indoor house gatherings remaining at 10 people.

Additionally, dance floors will be permitted at weddings and other events only, and overnight summer camps will be allowed to operate this coming summer. Exhibition and convention halls may also begin to operate, following gatherings limits and event protocols. Other Phase IV sectors must continue to remain closed.

Travel Order:  

Effective Monday, March 22, the Massachusetts Travel Order will be replaced with a Travel Advisory.  

The new travel advisory will urge all persons entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival if they have been out of the state for 24 hours or more.  

The advisory does not apply to anyone in the following categories:

• Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after an absence of fewer than 24 hours. 
• Travelers who have a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. 
• Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) while they are commuting to or from or while at work.
• Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago and who do not have symptoms). 

Travelers are additionally encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel. 

Source:mass.gov

 Phase III Step I Revised Restaurant Notice (PDF)

Town of Brookline Phase 1-4 Business Reopening Packet  (PDF)
Town of Brookline Business Reopening Packet for Restaurants (PDF)
Town of Brookline Business Reopening Packet for Restaurants (Step 2) (PDF)

Reopening Massachusetts 

General Business Guidance

Reopening: Mandatory Safety Standards for Workplaces

COVID-19 Travel Order

COVID-19 VACCINE INFORMATION

VACCINE FAQ

MENTAL HEALTH DURING THE TIME OF COVID-19

List of resources (pdf)

COMMISSIONER'S ORDER

PRIVATE SCHOOL NOTICE - TOWN OF BROOKLINE

Commissioner's Order: Private School Notice (PDF)

SIGNAGE FOR RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS

Mandatory Face Covering Sign for Buildings (PDF)

Mandatory Face Covering Sign for Building - Elevator (PDF)

Q&A: BU CONTACT TRACING SYSTEM EXPLAINED

Read the full article here, regarding the contact tracing protocols that the University has implemented. The article explains how contact tracing works, what it means for classroom time, and what happens when an individual is identified as a close contact.

COVID-19 TESTING SITES

Stop the Spread: Baker-Polito Administration Launches Targeted, Free COVID-19 Testing Sites.   ""While these sites are being launched in certain communities, the sites are open to all residents of the Commonwealth. MA residents may visit www.mass.gov/stopthespread to find testing locations & schedule an appointment."

The Stop the Spread program is intended to provide low barrier, free, and easy to access testing to all Massachusetts residents.

• Open to all Massachusetts residents
• Testing is not restricted to residents of the cities where sites are located
• You don’t need to have any symptom(s)
• No cost to you
• Out-of-state residents are not eligible for free testing under the Stop the Spread program

Massachusetts Testing Locator

Source: Mass.gov

COVID SAFE PRACTICES CONCERN FORM

You should submit this form if you would like to report possible concerns about non-compliance with the Commonwealth’s travel advisory quarantine, face covering, gathering, or other public health rules. Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.

COVID Safe Practices Concern Form

Source: Mass.gov

More About Marijuana” Campaign Highlights Risks of Consuming Illicit Vaping Products

HEALTH ALERT: MARIJUANA, VAPING & COVID-19

With Phase 1 of Massachusetts’ reopening of businesses and services, recreational marijuana stores are being allowed to open. This could mean greater access for teens, who may not realize that even occasional marijuana smoking and vaping can compromise lungs and increase susceptibility and complications from COVID. Vaping has been especially problematic during the closure, which has caused an upswing in black market cartridges, which can be especially dangerous due to unregulated chemicals. At least one Brookline teen has gone to the hospital with a very severe reaction from vaping.

CNN has done a recent informative piece - https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/10/health/smoking-weed-coronavirus-wellness/index.html

PLEASE VISIT BROOKLINECOVID19.COM